Cordie Harrelson, a long time resident of McKinney, Texas, passed peacefully at home on September 29, 2012, following a long illness.
At an early age, Cordie developed an appreciation for the importance of family as they struggled to stay together after the death of their father, James T. Grubbs, in 1928. Cordie, along with her mother, Ella Mae, and three brothers, J.T., Floyd and Horace, had to work at whatever jobs they could find. During the Great Depression, all five of them often worked 12 to 14 hours a day beneath the broiling Texas sun chopping and picking cotton. They seldom had extra money and sometimes went without food. A family legend grew around the time when almost all they had to eat was pears from a tree in their back yard. The family existed mostly on these pears for several weeks. None of them ever ate another pear the rest of their lives.
From these difficult times emerged five individuals with strong character, sound values and an enduring bond that led them to care for and take care of one another for the remainder of the lives. Starting with their first jobs, each of the boys sent money to their mother throughout her life. Cordie and her husband, J.D., shared their home with and cared for her mother until her death in 1977.
Cordie worked in the defense industry during World War II. Many stories have been told of the large number of suitors that Cordie had as a young woman. In fact, her mother once told her that there were so many young men knocking on the door that it was embarrassing. However, Cordie chose to marry the love of her life, J.D. Harrelson, in 1946, thereby breaking many hearts. J.D. was the long time manager of White’s Lumber Yard in McKinney. Cordie and J.D. spent many happy years traveling with their RV friends, camping, fishing, boating and having wonderful conversations. After J.D.’s passing, Cordie became actively involved with the Senior Activity Center in McKinney and formed important new friendships while maintaining close ties with old friends. Even when she was no longer able to leave her home, Cordie was seldom without visitors either in person or on the phone and cherished each and every person who visited.
Family members preceding Cordie in death include husband J.D. Harrelson, mother Ella Mae Grubbs, brothers J.T., Floyd and Horace Grubbs, and sisters-in-law Annie Mae, Marie and Eva Grubbs. Survivors include nieces Joy Sue (Clifford) Maxson, Bonnie Sue (Craig) Bickerton and Jan Grubbs, as well as nephews James (Lisa Hamilton) Grubbs and Gough (Karen) Grubbs. She also had three grand-nieces and three grand-nephews. Cordie was blessed to have many wonderful neighbors, good friends, loving care givers and dedicated members of her church who visited with her often and made her last years very special. The family is especially grateful to these individuals.
Anyone who knew Cordie Harrelson would say she was just about the strongest woman they had ever encountered … unless, that is, they had also known her mother. With three older brothers and a strong mother, Cordie learned at any early age to stand up for herself and to not take grief from anyone. Those folks who knew Cordie in her adult life can testify she never lost that ability. Cordie was one of a kind – strongly opinionated, sometimes sharp tongued, but always with a tender heart when it came to her family and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2012, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.