Matthew Lewis Harrison, Sr. was born on December 16, 1938 to the Late Nathaniel Harrison, Sr. and the Late Pastor Mother Hortense Savilla Potillo Harrison in Brodnax, VA. He was called home on October 20, 2018 in St Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, PA. Matthew married Virginia Thompson on February 14, 1961 in Bethlehem, PA. Matthew was raised in Brodnax, VA and attended schools in the Brunswick County Public School System. He received his HVAC certification through correspondence school. He received his GED at the age of 59 and continued to receive his residential electrician certification at the Bethlehem Area VoTech. Matthew also received his Biblical Christian Counseling Certification in December 2006. Matthew attended Mount Herman Baptist Church of Brodnax, VA at an early age. Thereafter, his mother moved the family's membership to Mt. Sinai Christian Antioch Church of God in Christ, Brodnax, VA under the leadership of Mother Sallie Richardson. He proudly served his country in the United States Army, 82nd Airborne Division. Matthew relocated to Bethlehem, PA in 1959 where he became a member of St. Paul Baptist Church under the late Pastors Frank Dyson and Pastor Marshall E Griffin Sr. and under current Pastor James I Jackson. Matthew was an ordained Deacon and was also a member of the Trustees Board, Nurses dept, Transportation dept, Maintenance committees. He was also a member of the St Paul Male Chorus, Gospel Chorus and Senior Choir where he enjoyed singing to uplift the spirit of the lord. Matthew enjoyed participating in activities such as the Christian Jubilee Bowling League, CPMSA, and multiple CB clubs where he was known as "Black Panther". He worked in multiple capacities such as running electrical wires for the state of VA, preparing meals for a Fraternity at Lehigh University, Surefit, Durkee Foods, retiring from Bethlehem Steel Corporation Air Conditioning Department after 30 Years, retiring from the Bethlehem Area School District Transportation Department with an added 20 Years of service. He volunteered over 10 years with Community 9 Ambulance Corps, Community Action Committee, and Steelbound a Touchstone Production. Matthew loved to minister everywhere he went always sharing the love of Jesus with all he encountered, always inviting everyone to join him at St Paul.

Matthew leaves to mourn his loving wife of 57 years Deaconess Virginia M Harrison, along with their children Matthew Jr (Cathy), Jeffrey (Carmen), Mark (Cheryl), Nathaniel (Tamiko), Melissa Oliver (Dean), Pamela Yanochko, Angela Stovall and Kristen Torres, 23 Grandchildren and 6 Great Grandchildren. His loving sister Minister Minnie Magdlene Walker, and his sisters-in-law, Mother Barbara Harrison of Brodnax, VA; Marvel Richardson(John) and Miriam Butterfield of Bethlehem, PA. Matthew was predeceased by his sisters, Virnell Hart, Josie Lee Sharp, Frances Lofton, Ida Baskerville and Boffie Washington; his brothers, Nathaniel Harrison, Jr. and Thomas Jimmy Harrison; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be at St. Paul Baptist Church, 925 E. Goepp St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and again Saturday from 9:00-10:00 a.m. with a service to immediately follow. Burial will be held at Cedar Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to Connell Funeral Home.

Connell Funeral Home