Donald Harrison

Dr. Donald Harrison was born June 9, 1949 in Savannah, Georgia. He was the second of seven children born to
Booker Taliaferro and Helen Mosley Harrison.
As a youth, he was baptized in St. Philip African Methodist Episcopal Church in Savannah, Georgia.
He was educated at both Catholic and Public Schools of Chatham County. He was a 1967 Co-Salutatorian
Graduate of Alfred E. Beach High School and served as Student Council President.
After graduation, he attended Mercer University in Macon Georgia, majoring in chemistry. In 1970, he
accepted early admission to Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he obtained a Bachelor of
Medical Science Degree in 1972. He continued his medical training at Harvard Medical School in Boston,
Massachusetts and was awarded a Doctorate of Medical Science degree in 1974. He decided to remain in Boston
completing internship and residency at Beth Israel Hospital.
Saddened by the disparity in healthcare delivered to poor and Black people, in 1977 he came back to Savannah
to become Medical Director of the Westside Urban Health Center. He later began a solo practice continuing his mission
of rendering competent comprehensive health care to his people.He was not only an excellent diagnostician, he
delivered his care with patience and compassion. Each one claimed him as “My Doctor” because they were confident
that he would make sure that all that could be done, would be done for them. And they knew Dr. Harrison would be
with them with his warm “hands on” bedside manner all the way. His love of his community was evidenced when he
gladly accepted Coach Middleton’s request to become team doctor for his mighty, mighty blue and gold bulldogs; he
did so proudly for several decades.
Apart from healthcare, Dr. Harrison enjoyed watching the news and talking about politics. He loved to laugh,
especially when he told jokes, even though they were only funny to him. Seeing his grands grow and spending time
with family gave him the greatest joy!
He was preceded in death by his parents, his eldest sister, Mrs. Helen Harrison Reed and his brother Craig
Harrison Sr. .
He leaves to cherish his loving memory, four children: Mr. Donald Augustus Taliaferro Harrison of Savannah,
Georgia, Mr. James Elliot Harrison (Leslie) of Savannah, Georgia, Mr. Charles Gregory Harrison (Nicole) of
Pensacola, Florida, Ms. Kristen Janelle Harrison (Fiance, Michael Sawyer) of Savannah, Georgia. four grandchildren:
Nautia Nicole Smalls, Michael Jamal Sawyer, Jr., Blake Isabella Harrison, Christian Jordan Sawyer. two sisters: Mrs
Anita Harrison Williams (Edward) and Mira D.Harrison both of Savannah, Georgia. two brothers: Sgt. George Cedric
Harrison of Savannah, Georgia and Mr. Booker Taliaferro Harrison II, of Morristown, Tennessee. Maternal Aunt: Mrs.
Della Mincey.Godmother, Mrs.Agnes B. Williams and godsister Ms. Patricia Gail Williams both of Savannah,
Georgia. a special niece: Mrs.Leah Harrison Foster.of Ellenwood, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,
relatives and friends.

Expression of Gratitude

The family of Dr. Donald Harrison would like to express our sincere gratitude for your cards, calls, thoughts, prayers,
and many other acts of kindness during our bereavement. That God will bless each and everyone of you is our sincere

prayer.
The Family