Paula Elaine Harrison's Obituary
Paula Elaine (Willis) Harrison, Sep. 26, 1945 – Dec. 30, 2025.
On the morning of December 30, 2025, Paula Elaine (Willis) Harrison passed from the loving arms of her husband into the loving and welcoming arms of her Savior. We believe she was greeted by those who went before her, including her father, William Fay Willis of Atlanta, Georgia; her mother, June Hutchinson (Willis) Hall of Milledgeville, Georgia; and a great company of close friends and relatives.
A 1963 graduate of Cross Keys High School, Paula developed an early interest in and talent for the arts. She created pieces to decorate her home and to express her deep appreciation for the natural world and the people she loved. She was a Renaissance woman; charcoals, fabric, oils, painted glass, fiber arts, and colored pencils were among the many mediums she explored, with each painting, drawing, costume, and article of clothing sewn becoming part of how she is remembered.
In 1965, she married her husband, James Gregory “Gregg” Harrison, and soon afterward welcomed their three children, Cathy, Christian, and Agnes “Aggie.” For the next 60 years, Paula and Gregg raised and nurtured their family together, creating a home rooted in support, warmth, and enduring love.
In 1976, Paula and her family moved from the Atlanta suburbs to the small town of Springville, Alabama. At first, she jokingly referred to it as “the falling-off place of the world,” but in time she grew to love her country home in Washington Valley and the many friendships and memories she built there. It became a favorite destination for nieces and nephews, who spent bucolic summers with Aunt Paula and her small menagerie of pets, including horses, cows, goats, chickens, cats, dogs, an occasional pet rabbit, a rescued baby opossum named Pogo, and a tamed crow named Charlie Sweeny.
An avid reader and devoted classic movie watcher, Paula eagerly shared her love of books with her children and grandchildren. Her personal library was always open to any willing reader. Classic films were a constant presence in her home, and she often said It’s a Wonderful Life was her favorite movie, but only the black-and-white version.
Paula was intelligent, observant, and wonderfully witty. She appreciated a clever answer, a good laugh, and the satisfaction of learning something new. A natural storyteller with a remarkable memory, she shared family history through treasured heirlooms and collected pieces. She delighted in passing on tradition and family lore, and curiosity was always encouraged in her presence.
In her later years, Paula rekindled her love of the arts through portraiture, creating beloved pet portraits for family, friends, and commissioned clients. Pet Portraits by Paula reached recipients across the country and brought countless smiles in turn. Her home became her studio, and when she traveled, there was often a work in progress accompanying her.
Above all else, Paula loved deeply and without condition. She often said, “I loved you when you were just a twinkle in your mother’s eye.” Generous with her time and care, she supported family and friends whenever they needed it most. She served without hesitation and always asked how she could help. Her care and attentiveness often found expression in her love of animals. Paula was the first call friends and family made when their pets or animals were in distress. She found beauty in all of creation and dutifully nursed back to health a host of beloved pets and gentle creatures with devotion and patience. No being was too small or too intimidating for her to take under her care and provide all she could.
Paula lives on in the hearts of her husband, Gregg Harrison; her children, Cathy Palmer (Doug), Christian Harrison, and Aggie Patz (Brian); her grandchildren, Torey, Casey, Avery, Callie, Ansley, Aiden, Micah, and Isaac; her great-grandchildren, Mettler and Stevie; her siblings, Tim Willis, Cathy Willis Spraetz (Webb), Joel Willis (Ann), Mike Slover (Suzanne), and Malcolm Slover; and her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Paula was a member of Pleasant Hill Church in Springville, then Springville First United Methodist Church, and later attended Victory Church in Pell City until her health declined in recent years. A future service and celebration of her life is planned with her family at Lively Oaks Farm during Easter weekend.
The family requests no gifts or flowers and instead encourages those so moved to donate to their favored charities or causes. You may also consider making a memorial gift to: New Life Church; PO Box 286; Cropwell, AL 35054. (Please write “memorial for Paula Harrison” in the for line.) May the Lord bless you.
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