Mary WeJuan Harrison

Mary WeJuan Harrison was born October 1, 1922, in the Ruby Community of Nowata County to James Albert and Golda L. (Lee) McMains. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Texas, with her family by her side.

WeJuan was the first of five children, and her education began in the Ruby Community, then to Nowata, and graduated with the class of 1942 at Childers. She began her career as a secretary and bookkeeper in Bartlesville.

On September 13, 1947, WeJuan married the love of her life, Johnnie Lee Harrison, after being introduced earlier by her future sister-in-law Lois, and after Johnnie’s service in the Army. They made their home in the Ruby Community area in a small rock house, then later moved to Delaware, before moving into their home in Nowata. WeJuan began her career as home maker and Mother, to Jimmy and Beverly.

Early in their family life, they became active at the First Church of God in Nowata. WeJuan loved singing in the choir, she taught Sunday School classes, was a member and served as President of the WCG, Missionary group. Helped organize and serve funeral dinner, (which Jim and Beverly were often disappointed that what was in our kitchen was not what was for our meal that day.) She was well known for her freshly made donuts and chocolate pie and popcorn balls.

Also involved in the church, helping and as a director of VBS, Youth Director, served as a sponsor for summer youth camps, and formed a Women’s group for activities and trips outside the church. She loved serving and being with people in the church and being a part of the work for her Lord.

Hobbies she enjoyed were sewing for herself and Beverly, crocheting, embroidery, working in the yard and vegetable garden. She also enjoyed being by Johnnie’s side in his may hobbies. He loved taking pictures and after developing them in black and white, Mom would use special-colored pencils and turn them from black and white to natural color. Camping and boating with family and friends and cooking out on the Coleman stove.

Another favorite for her was attending Gaither Concerts and Southern Gospel Days at Silver Dollar City, to worship through the music and songs. WeJuan and Johnnie were in the Amway business, having meetings and attending conferences in Washington and California.

The biggest joy for WeJuan was when her children gave her five grandchildren. She loved every minute they were together, Holidays and in the summer when she had them all for a time. She played baseball, croquet, and badminton with them in the yard and treated them to the pool. She could also be a slave driver and had them help clean the church or do yard work, but they loved it, always making it a fun time. One special, hilarious time was a tea party at her home, the girls went through grandma’s closet, to pick out clothes, hats, and purses to wear and were given crazy names, to be introduced as they walked into the tearoom. So much laughter going on.

Then came her second joy, when the great grands started arriving. Her nine great grands and five bonus great grands. Her face lit up when she saw them in person, or on Facetime. She loved to hear all about their activities, to play with them, and watched them in their sports, and prayed for each of them daily.

After 102 plus years of life, WeJuan saw many changes. She had the quality and quantity of life and was the strongest woman we have ever known. A woman who loved, prayed for us, and prayed with us when we needed those extra prayers, taught us so much by her actions and words, not just her family but also her friends. She was proud to proclaim Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

WeJuan is survived by her, children, Jim (Ava) Harrison and Beverly (Mark) McKee; grandchildren, Sommer Harrison, Lindsey (Clay) Kowalski, Johnnie Austin (Katie) Harrison, Jamie (Jason) McKee, Julie McKee, Jessica Browning, Rhett (Brittni) Bryner and Monica (Les) Allard; great grandchildren, Caleb, Chloe, and Aiyana McKee, Mikaylie, Gracie and Emma Harrison, Johnnie Tucker, Tyler and Wesleigh Kowalski, Ava, Brooklyn and June Browning, Lucas and Lily Allard, and soon coming baby girl Bryner.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Lee Harrison; parents, James and Golda McMains; brothers, J.E. McMains and Howard McMains; and sister, Jewell Nix.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nowata First Church of God, with designation to the Youth Group Fund.

The family will receive friends Sunday, April 20, 2025, from 3:00-5:00 P.M. at Benjamin Funeral Service, Nowata, Oklahoma. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, April 21, 2025, at First Church of God, Nowata, Oklahoma with Pastor Wendell Abbott officiating. Interment will follow in McMains Cemetery, Nowata, Oklahoma.

Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata.