Ola Virginia Harvey

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Ola Virginia Harvey, 90, of Monroe, LA will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe, LA with Dr. Brian Mercer officiating. Personal comments will be shared by Bruce Hanks, her bonus son. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the funeral home.

Ola Virginia Borum Harvey was born on August 20, 1933, and passed peacefully from this life in the early morning of August 11, 2024, at St. Joseph's Home. She was born at home in Watertown, TN to Malissie Temperance Rowland and William Thomas Borum. Her older sister, Robbie Elizabeth and Virginia grew up poor in material things but were loved and nurtured by their parents and extended family. Their father mostly farmed, raising tobacco to sell and vegetables, pigs, chickens and cows for their own use. Granny said they only had to buy salt, sugar, flour, coffee and a few other staples that they couldn't grow. Their mother made their clothes, quilts, butter, jams and jellies.

When her mother made soup, she sliced leftover biscuits very thin and toasted them for crackers. They didn't have indoor plumbing or a vehicle until girls were nearly grown.

She met the love of her life, Forrest Harvey, when in high school at Watertown. They married on March 20, 1953. Forrest was in the Air Force and after a post in North Africa, she joined him when he was stationed at El Paso, where their son Mike was born. A few weeks later, Forrest was discharged and they drove home to Tennessee with a three week old baby. Ultimately, Forrest went to work at State Farm Insurance Company in Murphreesboro, TN, where Bill and Tim were born.

In 1968, the family moved to Monroe to begin a new life with the State Farm community, which became like their extended family, many of whom are still close friends.

Forrest and Virginia were founding members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Monroe, bringing that denomination to Monroe along with other State Farm friends from Tennessee. Later, she and Forrest joined Victory Baptist Church in Monroe and were very active members until his death and her declining health several years later.

When her sons were older, Virginia went to work for the Red Cross assisting military families. She later worked at JC Penney in the catalog department. In about 1976, Granny became a Monroe City School bus driver. She drove countless students to Lexington, Lee and Neville during her 30+ years of driving. She was beloved by the children and their parents as well as the teachers and staff at her schools. Her bus driver group enjoyed her biscuits and pies at their many get togethers. She loved to help people and to feed them well.

Virginia had many domestic talents. Her fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, jams and jellies, pies and fudge are famous in Monroe. Her grandson, Michael once told her she would get rich selling her pies! She enjoyed quilting and knitting and crocheting. She rarely sat still. 

She loved to hang wallpaper with her dear friends, Alyce Panzico and Mary Franklin. They were very much in demand because they worked so meticulously at their craft.

But her favorite role in life after wife and mother was being a grandmother. When her first was born, Virginia and Forrest were so excited and ready. All their grandchildren spent many nights at their home, traveled with them to Tennessee and absorbed much wisdom in their laps. We all cherish memories of the holiday lunches and weeknight dinners at Granny's round table with the lazysusan covered in her delicious country cooking. All her grandchildren's friends refer to her as Granny.

Virginia loved carport and estate sale shopping. When she collected too much stuff, she would host a carport sale at her house with her regular shoppers always stopping by to visit if not to purchase.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Forrest, son Mike, and sister Robbie. Immediate family left to cherish her memory are her sons Bill and wife Michelle; Tim and wife Susan; daughter in law Buff Harvey Davis and husband Cary; special nieces Ginger Freeman and Dianne Hall both of TN, grandchildren: Michael Harvey and wife Jansen, Rachel Harvey Sitton and husband John, Thomas Harvey and wife Brandy, Matthew Harvey and wife Audrey, Ryan Harvey and wife Holly, Chris Harvey, and Kathryn Harvey Hill and husband Ryan. Great Grandchildren: Georgia and Parks Harvey, Lane Harvey, Stuart and Henry Sitton, Hank Harvey, Trae, Eva, Harley and Easton Hill. She leaves behind many friends who have precious memories of her wonderful life. We are thankful for her dear friends who visited her faithfully, especially Alyce Panzico and Babs Clary.

April McGuire, who was Virginia's sitter, confidant and best friend for over nine years has become a member of our family. Her love for Granny, along with her compassionate and excellent care cannot be overstated. The Harvey family is eternally grateful for her dedication and selfless devotion to Granny.

The family would like to express gratitude for the kindness and care given to Virginia at St. Joseph Home in the last few months. Thank you also for the loving care given her by Elara Caring Home Health and Hospice for the past few years.

Pallbearers will be, Michael Harvey, Thomas Harvey, Ryan Harvey, Matthew Harvey, Christopher Harvey, Bruce Hanks, Gary Roberts, and John Sitton. 

Memorials may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home.