Melva Jean Harrison, 85, formerly of Lancaster, KS died on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Atchison Senior Village. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 29th, 2024, at Lancaster Church of Faith, with Rev. Seth Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow in the Lancaster Cemetery. A Nightingale service will begin at 6:15 pm on Wednesday, August 28th, 2024, with visitation to follow until 8:00 pm at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, 800 Kansas Ave, Atchison, KS. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lancaster Church of Faith or the NEKS Hospice and may be sent in care of the funeral home.
Melva was born on May 5, 1939, in Denver, CO, the daughter of Harry C. and Elizabeth (Scofield) Searles. She graduated from Atchison High School in 1957 and earned her Licensed Practical Nurse certificate from the Atchison Hospital. Melva worked as an LPN for the Atchison Hospital, Dr. Tayiem’s Office, Atchison Medicalodge and then retired from the Outpatient Clinic at the Atchison Hospital. She was an active member of the former United Methodist Church in Lancaster, serving as an Adult Sunday School teacher, as financial secretary, on the Outreach Committee and the Lay Leadership Committee. She enjoyed reading, raising flowers in her flower garden, and spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Melva was married to William Wells in 1959. They were later divorced. She was married to Raymond Harrison in June 1969, and he preceded her in death in August 2004. Survivors include a son, Bill (Carol) Wells, Maple Hill, KS, a daughter, Shelley Pruett (Jim Buttron), Lancaster, KS, three stepdaughters: Sherry Pennington, Easton, KS, Belinda Jacobson, and Kimberly Winston, both of Kansas City, MO, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Her parents, husband Ray Harrison, and a grandson Bryce Pruett, preceded her in death.
