Ellen Frank (Harrison) can be recognized across time and in any place by two words – “Hey Shugah”. That’s if she liked you. If you crossed her you can forget about any words from her at all.
Ellen was born in New Roads Louisiana on September 13, 1920 to Rosalie Porter and Patois Frank. She had a younger brother, Batiste, who was born in January of 1923.
She met her husband-to-be, Willie Harrison, at a party. Initially she wasn’t impressed but something captured her. Eventually, she asked a mutual friend about him. She later found out that he asked that same mutual friend about her. This friend gave them both positive reviews.
She married Willie Harrison and had six children with him – Mary Ann, Gwendolyn, Joan, Willie, Gilda and Joseph.
When it came to traversing the culinary landscape she had no equal. Ellen was from Louisiana so it was almost a requirement to make good gumbo. And her baking…mmmm….
Her children and grandchildren surrounded her patiently as she served up her sugar cookies.
Beyond the kitchen she was also known as the unofficial family documentarian. Wherever Ellen Harrison was so was her camera. She got her start with a Kodak Brownie which was one of the earliest film cameras that people could buy to make their own home movies.
Below is footage from her old camera
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Birth name
Ellen Frank
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Place of Death
Vallejo, CA