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FERN FINCHUM PERRY was born in Rocky Ford, CO on July 7, 1918, the fourth of four children born of Elmer H. Perry and Mary E. (Weathers) Perry. She went home to her Lord on July 25, 2011 after a short illness. She married Charles Wagner Harrison, Jr. on December 28, 1940 and together they were parents of two daughters. She is survived by her daughter, Charlotte Jean Harrison Jones and her husband, Chester Jones of Houston, TX and son-in-law, Bill Hays of Albuquerque. She was predeceased by her husband; her daughter, Martha Randolph Harrison Hays; her parents; her brother, Lambert E. Perry; and her sisters, Azalea (Perry) Gorby and Rosalie (Perry) Cannon. She attended Cameron College in Lawton, OK where she studied business and played violin in the school orchestra. She also served as president of the Lawton YWCA. Following graduation from Cameron College, she moved to Washington, D.C. and was employed as secretary to Oklahoma Congressman Jed Johnson. One day while riding the streetcar, she briefly encountered and was attracted to Charles Harrison, Jr. who was then an Engisn in the U.S. Navy. She considered accidently dropping her umbrella as a ploy to get better acquainted with him. Charles' proper Virginia upbringing led him to learn where she attended church and he went there to get formally introduced to Fern. They were married on December 28, 1940. Fern took the Civil Service exam and was assigned to write contracts for the military during wartime Washington, D.C. Fern retired from active employment and moved with her husband to Cambridge, MA where he pursued his graduate studies and she devoted her efforts to raising her family and Christian fellowship activities. Charles' navy career took them to Philadelphia and later back to Washington, D.C. He retired from active duty in 1957 and accepted employment with Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque. Charles and Fern were members of Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque. The family are grateful to Fern's many friends who have kept her in their thoughts and prayers and remained in contact through the years. The family also thank staffs of Atria Vista de Rio in Albuquerque and The Hallmark in Houston. The family especially thank Karen Cordes for her many selfless acts of love and kindness to Charles and Fern. Services will be held on Friday, July 29, 2011, 2:00 p.m., at Chester T. French Memorial Mausoleum, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 927 Menaul Blvd. NE. Friends may visit at French University on Thursday, July 28, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. til 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Friends of Nursing, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital Development Office, P. O. Box 20269, MC 3-206, Houston, TX 77225. Please visit our online guestbook for Fern at : www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 1111 University Blvd. NE. (505) 843-6333
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