Edwynne Vivian Harrison

Edwynne V. Harrison, 94, passed away November 18, 2023 at Prairie Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shawnee Mission, KS.  She was born on March 29, 1929, in Vicksburg, MS to Richard Wyatt, Sr. and Jessie B. Burnett Wyatt.

Edwynne grew up in Port Gibson, MS where she attended public schools where she excelled in school and was a top student.  She moved to Kansas City, Kansas in 1947 with her son Canan Cullins, Jr.  She began work at 7th Street Cleaner’s as a clerk in 1947.   

Later in 1960 she became employed as a Bookkeeper at Douglass State Bank.  Her starting salary was $40.00 per week.  Her first of many promotions was to a Bank Teller.  She was a quiet, steady force at the bank and worked her way up.  She ultimately retired after 43 years as Vice President in 2003.  She was Teller, Bookkeeper, Bookkeeping Supervisor, Investment Officer, Assistant Vice-President, and later Vice-President of Douglass State Bank before her retirement in 2003.  While at the bank in her various capacities as teller, loan officer, Investment Officer she helped many local entrepreneurs and business owners start their businesses and stay in business.  Often while out in the community many business owners would stop her, tell her of the impact she had on their business and thank her for believing in their business.

Education was very important to Edwynne.  A top student in Mississippi before coming to Kansas City with her infant child, Canan Cullins, Sr., she obtained her GED while working at 7th Street Cleaners.  She attended many night classes after work while employed during the day at Douglass State Bank given by the American Bankers Association.  Never one to be idle she started classes at Kansas City Kansas Community College.  Her thirst for knowledge continued and she later attended and graduated from Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1978.

Edwynne was involved in church and many community activities including her church, Eighth Street Baptist Church, a volunteer for KCKPD, and as an avid proponent of the right to vote she worked the polls every election cycle.   A member of the Strugglers Hill community, The National Association of Bank Women, Heart of America Sisterhood, Economic Opportunity Foundation, Inc. Board member, Private Industry Council Board, Kansas City, Kansas Women Chamber of Commerce, Sunflower Girls of America, President of the Cosmic Star Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association Edwynne ‘s leadership, wisdom and cheerful smile impacted many lives in Wyandotte “The Dotte”, Kansas City, Kansas.

Edwynne married Charles S. Harrison on March 19, 1966 in Kansas City, KS. They were happily married for 33 years.

She joined Eighth Street Baptist Church October 28, 1951, and was a cheerful and faithful member for 72 years where she was a Deaconess and served at various times as Youth Choir Director, Church Secretary, Sunday School Teaching Staff, Missionary Department, and Executive Committee of the Baptist Training Union.  

Edwynne enjoyed traveling and made a point to visit every continent in the world. Her other passions included church activities and service as a volunteer for county government elections, the Kansas City Kansas Wyandotte County Neighborhood Crime Prevention Patrol, Strugglers Hill Community Association, and NAACP.  Edwynne was recognized for her community service and received many community awards for her many volunteer services.  Edwynne led a full and active life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Wyatt, Sr., and Jessie B. Wyatt; her husband Charles S. Harrison, Jr.; her brothers Frank Wyatt, Carl Wyatt and her grandson, Cavill Lee Cullins.

Edwynne is survived by her three (3) sons, Canan Cullins, Sr. of Tonganoxie, KS, Vonzell McKamie of Kansas City, KS, and Reginald E. McKamie of Houston, TX, Step Daughters Sandra Dickson, Annette Heggie and Jocylyn Harrison; her sisters Carolyn, Sharon and Robin of Kansas City, KS; her ten (10) grandchildren Canan Cullins, Jr., Camisha Walker (Eric) of Phoenix, AZ, Carvaughn Cullins (Rhonda), Kimberly McKamie, Vincent McKamie (Janell), Victor McKamie, Kirsten Bradley (Christopher) Reginald McKamie, Jr. (Simeilia), Ryan E. McKamie, Makensi Dickson, and twelve (12) Great Grandchildren Javon McKamie, Calissa Barnett, William Bailey, Caleb Bailey, Meagan Bates, Tiffani Bates, Jamia Cullins, Dolan Cullins, Reign London McKamie, Royal Cali McKamie, Christopher Bradley, Kendrick Bradley, her many nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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