Jo Nell Looper Harrison

Jo Nell Looper Harrison, 89, of Granite Falls, NC, peacefully passed away at home on January 4th, 2026, after battling dementia for several years.

She was born November 24, 1936 in Granite Falls, to the late Burgess Gamewell and Eula Reid Looper. JoNell grew up in Granite Falls, working on her family’s tobacco farm and becoming a high school basketball star, which helped shape her work ethic and love of sports.

JoNell married Lowell Thomas (Tom) Harrison January 24, 1954 and was married to Tom for 58 wonderful years until his death in September 2012. She graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1954 and worked in her early years as Office Manager for Younce Motors, and then Steve White Toyota in Hickory. JoNell spent most of her work career as the CFO of McCreary Modern in Newton where she was trusted and well respected by her coworkers and by owner Bob McCreary.

JoNell loved showing her Morgan horses in various horse shows throughout the country under the Granada Morgan Farm name she owned with Tom and son Keith. She was an excellent equestrian and spent her free time riding and training her Morgan’s, and gathering blue ribbons at horse shows.

JoNell attended Ebenezer Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir, played piano and helped with the bookkeeping for many years.

In addition to her parents, Jo Nell was preceded in death by her husband Tom in 2012.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Keith Harrison, DVM and wife MaryScott Harrison of Southern Pines, NC., granddaughters Amanda Harrison Mandel (Rob) of St Louis, MO, and Rebecca Harrison Of Apex, NC, and great granddaughters Analise and Isla Mandel of St Louis MO. She is also survived by sisters Wanda Johnson (Wayne) of Granite Falls, Kay McIntosh (Jerry) of Hickory, Judy Mackie (Jim) of Granite Falls, brothers Rudy Looper (Lynn) and John Looper of Granite Falls and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday January 10, 2026 at Ebenezer Methodist Church in Granite Falls, with Rev. Simon Chigumira and Rev. Eric Lane officiating.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1:00-2:00 P.M., one hour prior to the funeral service at Ebenezer Methodist Church, where the body will lie-in-state until the funeral hour.

The family would like to thank Jo Nell’s beloved caregivers Liz, Crystal, Annie, Emily and Cindy for the excellent care she received. They would also like to thank all the nurses, social workers and CNA’s of Amorem of Hudson Hospice that assisted the family during her final months.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ebenzer Methodist Church, 4948 Burns Rd, Granite Falls, 28630, or Amorem Hospice, 526 Pine Mountain Rd, Hudson NC 28638.

Mackie Funeral Service & Cremations of Granite Falls is serving the family.