Obituary of Bessie Reid Harrison

Bessie’s Life Story

Bessie Durant Reid was born on October 2, 1931, in Cologne, King and Queen County, Virginia to the late George Reid and Georgie Reid (Lewis). She departed this life at her home in Montclair, New Jersey, in the arms of her daughter, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Bessie started her early education in Virginia. However, after the passing of her parents, she moved to Orange, New Jersey under the care of her aunt and uncle, Mary and Patrick Liggins, who she affectionately called her mother and father.

Bessie graduated from Orange High School in 1951 and attended secretarial school. She worked for the Social Security Administration for a number of years, and for the Prudential Insurance Company in Parsippany, NJ from which she retired. She also worked briefly at a law office, and at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center, both in Newark, NJ.

She was joined in holy matrimony on May 17, 1958, to Arthur Harrison, and together they raised four children, Willie James Moore, Betty Ann Moore, Arthur Laird Harrison, and Felice Annette Harrison.

Bessie was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Orange, NJ since her youth. She was baptized, and was an active member of the Acquaintance Club, Deaconess Board, Missionary Board, Sunday School, and Baptist Training Union(BTU). She served as the Church clerk for many years, regularly engaging her children in the process of typing the weekly church bulletins and duplicating them using the mimeograph machine. Bessie also volunteered in the Montclair Public Schools in the Head Start program and in the school libraries.

Bessie loved the Lord, and enjoyed listening to music, mostly opera and gospel particularly The Mississippi Mass Choir - When I Rose This Morning. Bessie loved family gatherings, bird watching and traveling. She was most fond of cardinals, and had numerous books, clothing, blankets and knickknacks adorned with birds. She also enjoyed reading, board and memory games, and tv game shows.

Bessie always had a kind and pleasant spirit. She would help anybody, and would welcome anyone into the fold with open arms. She always seemed to find the goodness in someone.

She leaves to cherish fond memories: her loving daughter, Felice A. Harrison-Crawford, of Montclair, NJ; Grandson, Dwight James Phillips (Laura), Great-Granddaughter, Aurora Elizabeth Phillips and Great- Grandson, Desmond Arthur Phillips, of West Orange, NJ; Brother In Law, Ervin S. Royall (Rita) of Jetersville, VA; a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family, church members, caregivers and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents George and Georgie Reid, and Patrick and Mary Liggins, all of her siblings; Irene, George, Queen, William (Dock), Ethal, Gracie, Shirley and Patrick; and children; Willie, Arthur (Artie), and Betty. “It is well, it is well with my soul!"