One of God’s wonderful creatures left this earth recently after a courageous battle with cancer. Julie Ann Harrelson was beautiful in every way, inside and out. She was stunning to see but even more beautiful once you got to know her better. She was generous in her praise and love for family and friends, in sharing her possessions with others and offering her ideas and thoughts to many.

Julie Ann was born on March 7, 1944 in Charlotte, NC and was a student at Garringer High School. She married and was blessed with two daughters whom she considered gifts from God. She lived with her family in Charlotte, then the Atlanta area before moving to Southport NC. For a few years, she was a correspondent reporter for a number of local newspapers, including the Wilmington Star News and the State Port Pilot. Later, she was employed by the Neuse River Council of Governments in New Bern, NC. She moved back to Southport to accept a position with Carolina Power and Light’s nuclear power plant where she eventually led a team of writers who supported an engineering staff. During this time, she served on the Vestry of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. She and Thomas J. “Tommy” Harrelson married in 1982. She transferred to Raleigh where she specialized in marketing to major developers and builders for CP&L. She was also very active in Raleigh civic affairs, serving on CP&L’s Women’s Program Council as well as the Sir Walter Cabinet. She became an advocate for sound government principles by being a leader in the campaigns of Gary Pendleton for Wake County Commissioner and Frank Turner, the first African American Republican Alderman for Raleigh. After retirement, she and her husband moved back to Southport where she became active in St. Philip’s Flower Guild, enjoying creating beautiful altar arrangements and training others.

She was preceded in death by her father Forest Scarboro of Charlotte, her mother Mary Ruth Hoke and brother and sister-in-law Larry and Elizabeth Scarboro of Remlap Alabama. She is survived by her beloved husband of 44 years,Thomas J. Harrelson of Southport, daughter, Donna Jean Rabon (Ernie Flowers) of Boiling Springs Lakes and her grandson Brandon Rabon (Meagan Rabon) and great grandson Wells Rabon of Wilmington. She is also survived by her daughter Joy Lynn Conca (Chris Conca) and granddaughter Jessica Drew Booth and great grandson Rowan Booth of Tucson AZ.

Julie Ann loved Southport and everything about it. Her family appreciates the many examples of love and friendship from family, friends, neighbors and her medical team.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, September 5, 2026 in St Philips Episcopal Church, Southport, NC.

Any memorial donations could go to St. Philip’s Flower Guild, Lower Cape Fear Hospice, or the charity or organization of your choice.

Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to the family at www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com

Michael J Fulwood Funeral & Cremation Service