Oct 3, 2018 Orange County Review

On Oct. 20, the Orange County African-American Historical Society will hold its first awards banquet. If you are interested in attending—there are an estimated five seats remaining—or in making a donation, please contact the Rev. Darryle Crump at (301) 520-1082.
The organization will be recognizing five individuals this year for their extraordinary work in sharing and sustaining African-American history in Orange County. For each of the next five weeks, this column will showcase one of the recipients. This week, we recognize Edmond Harrison.
Deacon Edmond Harrison Jr. was born on March 7, 1940 in Richland, N.C. He was the fourth of his parents’ seven children. His parents were farmers and years later, he still reflects on those formative years of growing up in rural North Carolina
After graduating from high school, Harrison went to live in Washington, DC. It was there that he attended the University of the District of Columbia and received B.A. and M.A. degrees. He later would earn a M.Th. from American Bible College.
It was in Washington that Harrison met Elder Bernard Battle and became a part of Bibleway Church and its music ministry. Battle also operated a religious book and music store. As Harrison grew spiritually, he was given more responsibilities in the store as well as in the church.
When Battle came to Louisa to minister, Harrison came also. Battle was the voice behind the microphone for the “Spiritual Tidings” broadcast here in Orange and was assisted by Deacon Harrison.
Eventually, Deacon Harrison became the voice for the “Spiritual Tidings” program and has been manning the microphone now for three decades. Each Sunday morning, he rises long before daybreak to make his way down to the WJMA radio station for the weekly broadcast. Countless numbers of persons have been recipients of his humble attitude and reassuring voice not only on the airways but in everyday walks of life as well. As Deacon Harrison often says, “May the work I’ve done speak for me”.
When Deacon Harrison was not at the radio station, it was not unusual at all to find him tutoring persons for their GED, serving as president for the B. G. Battle Community Choir, being a vital part of the Orange County NAACP, serving on the board of the Orange County African-American Historical Society, working at Satchell’s Funeral Home, or working at the Louisa Healthcare Center where he was employee of the month four times and employee of the year as well. His ongoing belief is that he must do His work while it is yet day, for night is coming when no one can work.
Deacon Harrison is very active at Bibleway Church in Louisa. He has mentored many who have gone on to be pastors, teachers and other leaders. He firmly believes that most of the work of the Lord takes place outside of the church building. Although the cadence of his steps has slowed, he continues to be the voice of the “Spiritual Tidings” broadcast each Sunday from 6 to 8 a.m. He also continues to be a reassuring person when life’s storms seem to be overwhelming to many. His works speak for him.
(A special thank you to the Rev. Darryle Crump and Ms. April Taylor for their significant work on Deacon Harrison’s story.)