Bonnie Chambers Harmeson

The Heavenly population increased by one Monday, December 31, 2018 when Bonnie Chambers Harmeson passed away. She was 91 and a resident of Cleveland. Mrs. Harmeson was born in Hollywood, Florida on August 7, 1927. Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Vernon Harmeson, her son, Dale Harmeson, her daughter in law, Carol Murphy Harmeson and her four sisters, Loretta Barton, Irene Clements, Ineze McCullough and Wanda Pearce also preceded her in death. Mrs. Harmeson received her elementary education in Columbus, Georgia and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Upon relocating with her family to Ft. Benning Georgia, she attended and graduated from Columbus High School in 1945. She was a member of the National Honor Society. Upon graduating in 1945 from Columbus High School, she enrolled at Bible Training School in Sevierville, Tennessee. She continued her education at Lee College (now Lee University). She and her future husband Vernon Harmeson met as sophomores and married in 1949. Mrs. Harmeson served with her husband in church ministry for nine years before relocating to North Dakota to begin several years of teaching and administration in public schools. Mrs. Harmeson received her B.S. degree from Minot State University and she did graduate work at the University of North Dakota. She returned to Cleveland in 1971 and was employed by Cleveland City Schools. She taught at Mayfield School and later served as librarian at Arnold. She retired after 25 years of teaching. She was a member of the National Education Association, American Library Association and the Cleveland Education Association where she served as its president for a term. Mrs. Harmeson was a member of the Westmore Church of God. She and her late husband were avid supporters of Lee University and were always involved in the Alumni Association until his health declined. They were known for their yearly "open house" at Lee Homecoming.Survivors include her son, Philip Harmeson and his wife Bonnie, her daughter in law, Mary Harmeson, her grandchildren, Reverend Dennis Harmeson and his wife Rebecca, Dean Harmeson and his wife Janet, Angela Wood and her husband Harry and Brianne Harmeson, her great grandchildren, Aaron, Ian and Samantha, Brenden and his wife Jessica, Kaylee and Nathan and Ian and Hannah, a step grandson, Aaron Mitchell and his wife Jenna Fer, her sisters, Margaret Biehl, Brownie Edmondson and Hilda Harris and several nieces and nephews also survive.The Remembrance of Life Memorial Service will be conducted on February 9, 2019 at 2:00 P. M. at the Westmore Church of God with Dr. Jerald Daffe and Pastor Phil Looney officiating. The family request that in lieu of flowers, Memorials be made in Bonnie Harmeson's memory to Lee University Alumni Fund, P. O. Box 3450, Cleveland, Tennessee 37320-3450. The family would like to express their appreciation to her wonderful neighbors, Connie Grigsby, Barbara Rice and family friends, Todd and Laura Gunderson. Thanks also goes to her loyal CNA Becky Woodard. Between the Great Physician and her faithful doctor, Dr. Daniel Vance, they kept her healthy for many years. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P. M. February 9, 2019 at the Westmore Church of God. The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel who has charge of the arrangements. You may share your condolences and your memories with the Harmeson family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.Read Obituary