Our beloved aunt, friend, and cherished community member, Katherine (Kitty) Harrison, 93, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, January 25, 2013, after suffering a fall in her home and a short hospitalization at University Hospital in San Antonio. Her funeral service will be held in Leakey, Texas on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, with burial the following afternoon at Pattison Cemetery near Brookshire, Texas. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry G. (Billy) Harrison; her parents, Miles N. and Katherine (Katie) Allen; siblings Miles J. Allen and Annie Laurie Allen Walger; niece, Mary Walger Leenen; and nephew, Allen (Bud) Walger. 


Katherine is survived by her nieces and nephews Kay Allen Anderson (Bailey), Jerry Baker, K.J. Harrison (Sharon), Keith Harrison (Pat), Rosemary Harrison Utley, Sam Harrison, Debbie Kazarian (Mel), Jake Leenen, Barbara Walger Legler (Victor), Jennifer Allen Michulka (Jimmie), and Ellen White (Jon); many great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and a host of loving friends.


Katherine Harrison was born on November, 13, 1919, in her parents’ home four miles north of Wallis, Texas. Katherine was raised near Wallis, attending school there until she graduated as valedictorian in 1936. She graduated from Blinn Junior College in 1939, where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa fraternity. From 1940 – 1945, Kitty lived in both Katy and Houston working as bookkeeper for a number of employers, including Knapp Chevrolet. Katherine met Billy Harrison in 1945 and they were married at the First Methodist Church of Houston on November 13 of the same year. They lived on the Brazos River in Austin Co. for many years, Katherine was a member of the Methodist Church in Brookshire and an active community volunteer. After many years visiting family members in Real Co., Katherine and Billy bought a home on the Frio River in 1956 and vacationed there until they moved permanently to the Frio Canyon in the early 1980s. Katherine was an avid traveler, traveling extensively with Billy until his death in July 1988. They enjoyed many cruises, trips to Europe, and used their travel trailer to tour the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Katherine continued to travel around the world with friends and attended many Elderhostels following Billy’s death.


Katherine was an active community member of Leakey and Real Co. As an active member of the Leakey United Methodist Church, she served in offices, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the choir. She helped found the Real County Public Library, and was a member of many other community organizations including the Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce, Frio Canyon Parks Association, Frio Canyon Garden Club, Big Springs Ranch for Children Auxiliary, Canyon Performing Arts, Inc., and the Frio Canyon EMS. Her dedication to the community earned her recognition by the Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce as “Citizen of the Year” in 1993 and she was also the Grand Marshall of the July Jubilee Parade in 2010. 


Katherine’s family heritage, lead to a great love of Texas history, and she spent many years doing genealogical and historical research. She was one of three founding members of Descendants of Austin’s Old 300, unifying and preserving the history of the families that were a part of the original land grant from Stephen F. Austin. She was also a member of the Caddel-Smith chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Kerrville chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, as well as a member of the Real County Historical Commission and the Real County Historical Museum. Through these activities and her dedication to honoring Texas history, she is responsible for many historical markers around the state.


Katherine appreciated each day of life that God gave her and used the time given wisely and to His service. Her love of all of those around her was an inspiration to everyone and she will be deeply missed. The family wishes to thank Doug Smith, Pastor of Leakey UMC, Frio Canyon EMS, the compassionate staff at University Hospital, and the citizens of Leakey for their support during this time. In lieu of flowers, it was Katherine’s wish for memorials to benefit the organizations she held most dear including: Real County Public Library, Real County Historical Museum, Canyon Performing Arts, Inc., Leakey United Methodist Church, Frio Canyon EMS, Leakey Volunteer Fire Dept., and Caddel-Smith Chapter of the Daughters of Republic of Texas Scholarship Fund.

A visitation is scheduled at Nelson Funeral Chapel in Leakey from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5 - 7 p.m. on Monday January 28.


Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at the Frio Canyon Baptist Church in Leakey, Texas, with Pastor Doug Smith officiating.


A visitation will be held at Schmidt Funeral Chapel in Brookshire, Texas from 1-3 PM on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. A graveside service will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Pattison Cemetery near Brookshire, with Pastor Doug Smith officiating.