Mary June Harrison

Above is a video of Mary celebrating her 87th birthday.

Mary June Marks Hamilton Harrison, affectionately known as Honey,
Grammy, and Aunt Mary, is the youngest of eight children: Geneva, Tilly,
James, Lucinda, Alphonse, Helen, Ruben, and Mary. She was born in New
Orleans on June 6, 1930, to Mary Marks and Alphonse Hamilton.
Mary grew up in a row home with her mom and siblings at 4132
Melpomene Street in New Orleans. The street, later renamed Martin Luther
King, Jr. Blvd in 1977 to honor Dr. King, was part of the Broadmoor
neighborhood, a subdistrict of the Uptown/Carrollton area. One of Mary’s
favorite childhood memories was picking figs from the neighbor’s tree next
door.

When Mary was young, she dreamed of becoming a nurse. She attended
Fisk Elementary, Hoffman Middle School, and Booker T. Washington and
McDonogh 35 High Schools. McDonogh 35 is notable as the city’s first
public high school for Black teens. At 16, Mary worked as a domestic and
later as a waitress. During this time, her best friend Delores introduced her
to her cousin, Lloyd Harrison, son of Clara and Willie Harrison of 4025 Eve
Street. Mary and Lloyd grew up around the corner from each other. After a
long courtship, the two married in New Orleans on January 26, 1950,
shortly after Lloyd returned from the Navy.

Five children were born from Lloyd and Mary’s union: Sharon, Parlett,
Linda, Lloyd Jr., and Renee. In 1956, Lloyd and Mary, seeking better
economic opportunities moved their growing family (Sharon, Parlett, Linda)
to Los Angeles, California, where Lloyd Jr. and Renee were born. Although
Mary’s dream of becoming a nurse was fading, she found comfort settling
into life in Los Angeles, starting her own in-home daycare, and becoming a
sought-after local seamstress. Mary’s seamstress skills were not just a
craft, but a passion that earned her a faithful clientele. Her creations, from
usher uniforms for local churches to wedding gowns and dresses for an
entire wedding party, were not just clothes, but works of art. Anyone who
wore her clothing felt like they were wearing couture: Honey Couture! 

Mary also became known for her fabulous culinary skills. Her gumbo is
legendary. She and Lloyd are forever remembered for hosting the most
memorable family gatherings where good food, desserts, laughter, and love
were served in abundance. Mary was fully supported and loved by her
husband, who was given the nicknames, Big Lloyd and Gramps. The two
enjoyed attending church every Sunday, traveling, and spending time with
their grandchildren.

Mary and Lloyd were married for over 50 years until his passing on
September 26, 2001. Forever carrying “Big Lloyd ” in her heart, Mary
continues to travel, host family gatherings, enjoy time with her family and
the Golden Girls (her closest girlfriends), and watch MSNBC, Family Feud,
and her favorite soap opera, General Hospital. Despite enduring a stroke
after a fall in 2021, Mary’s resilience shines through as she remains as
sharp as ever and is recovering well. She also finds joy in being with her
church family at Willow Street Church of God, where her son, Lloyd
Harrison, Jr., serves as the pastor. People, near and far, continue to visit
and shower her with warmth and love at the home that she and Big Lloyd
bought in 1965.

Authors – Renee Harrison (Daughter) and Natasha Hemmings (Granddaughter)