Laura Harrison

Obituary For Laura Harrison

Mrs. Laura Roberts Harrison, passed away November 26, 2024 at her residence.

Laura Mae was born in Fairfax, NC to Nathan Thompson and Carrie Mae Roberts on Monday, March 20, 1944. She was the sixth child of seven siblings. Her mother, Carrie Mae, eventually left Fairfax for Greensboro, NC, which is where Laura met Shepard Alston, who would eventually become her first husband. In 1955, Carrie Mae once again moved her family to Worcester, MA when Laura was about 11 years old. It was there Laura graduated from Commerce High School in 1961.

Later that year, Laura reunited with Shepard and was married. The pair settled in Paterson, NJ and began a family. Laura and Shepard’s first child, Sharon Michelle, was born April 3, 1963. Their second daughter, Kimberley Carrie, arrived on November 19, 1966. Their final child, another baby girl, Shannon Keonia, was born August 20, 1968.

Laura studied to obtain a New Jersey cosmetology license. Successfully, she did just that and worked as a stylist for years. She met the love of her life, David Harrison, and dated for some time. In 1988, the pair decided to leave the busy city life behind and nestle into calmer terrain in Greensboro, NC. That’s when Laura switched professional industries and became an aide at a nursing home. She provided that service until she retired. In August of 1991, the love birds were married. David and Laura were dedicated and inseparable partners until his transition.

Laura was known as an impressive homemaker, keeping her place exceptionally clean and well organized. Though she’d say her beloved, David, was “the real cook,” she was known by her family to prepare delicious meals as well. Laura enjoyed dancing, completing crossword puzzles, and drawing during her free time. Her daughter speaks dreamily of her effortless beauty: “her dimples and impeccable style.” As said by her third granddaughter, she had “flavor” and was a fountain of wisdom. Laura loved her family. She was also humorously known to favor her grandsons, as she herself conceived only girls.

Laura is survived by two daughters, Sharon Belvin, née Alston; Kimberley Lighty, née Alston; brother, James Roberts; grandson, Xerxus Rashad Belvin; granddaughter, Kamisha Love (Michael) Thomas; granddaughter, Sharay Lanette Lighty; granddaughter, Beverly (Shervon) Peters; granddaughter, Amirah Assata Shakur; grandson, Darren (Brae) Lighty Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, as well as two great-great grandsons. Laura also left behind a special niece, Gloria Jones, in whom she found an especial confidence and a steady, loving support for countless years.

She was preceded in her passing by her late, beloved husband, David Harrison (2006); father, Nathan Thompson; mother, Carrie Mae Roberts (2002); daughter, Shannon K. Alston (2023); brother, William Roberts (2000); sister, Hattie Mae Rawls, née Roberts (2010); sister, Gertrude Rosemond, née Roberts (2012); brother, Johnnie Roberts (2014); brother, Psalms Roberts (2022); and great-granddaughter, Kamiyah T.M. Belvin (2022).

Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024 11:30am Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel at Perry J. Brown Funeral Home 909 East Market Street Greensboro, North Carolina. Visitation 11am.

Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.