The invaluable matriarch of the family, Laura was a dedicated, lifelong caregiver. She was born on July 5, 1948 in Martinsville, VA to parents Eugene and Lillian Harrell. The oldest of four children, she nurtured her younger siblings and became an instrumental influence in their lives.
It was at the formerly known Columbia Bible College in South Carolina where she met her husband, Edward Jerome Harmon, who would go on to become a Chief Warrant Officer in the US Army. They had four children together, and after many travels through the military, they settled in Fayetteville, NC. After 25 years of marriage, Edward Harmon passed away in 1994, making Laura a widowed mother of 4 children.
In 1998, Laura fulfilled her dream of professionally caring for others by graduating from Fayetteville Technical Community College with a degree in Nursing. She was 50 upon completing her degree. Her academic excellence throughout school while also raising her children were a testament to her strength and determination. She loved her identity as Nurse Harmon and only retired two years ago in 2022.
Laura’s selfless generosity to others continued through her loving support of her seven grandchildren. When her first grandchild was born in 2000, her life took on new meaning and provided a third generation of family members to care for. She adored her grandchildren and took the role of being an essential and crucial presence in their lives seriously. She consistently believed in the ability of every person to become the best versions of themselves. Becoming a “born again” Christian in her teens, Laura’s first love was Jesus, and she spent her life devoted to living a life in service to God.
With light and love, Laura remained a constant for those she cared for. She was a significant force in all of our lives, and she will be missed greatly. For those she left behind, she had a specific message to pass on: “When I’m gone, don’t be sad or cry for me. Because I can’t wait to be dancing in Heaven with Jesus.”
Laura Gene Harrell Harmon was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Jerome Harmon. She is survived by her four children Wendy (and husband Dan) Harshaw, Daniel (and wife Vivian) Harmon, Michael Harmon, and Amy Harmon; her 7 grandchildren Collin, Jayden, and Conner Harshaw; and Mikayla, Emily, Izabella, and Michael Harmon; and siblings Dusty, Ricky, and Sandy Harrell.
The family would also like to express a special thank you to our family friends Russ Portz, Kay and Mike Willard, and Megan Browning.
A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at the Crossroads Fellowship Church at 13029 Keith Store Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587 at 2pm.
*Laura’s favorite color was red, so we ask funeral attendees to honor her by incorporating the color red*
The family asks that any memorial contributions be made to Transitions Life Care, the home hospice company that lovingly guided her and her family. Donations can be made at: www.transitionslifecare.org/donate/
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