MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - It’s never easy to say goodbye to people you love, and that’s exactly what Jenny Harrison at Rion Flowers, Coffee & Gifts is being forced to do. When she and her husband, Chuck, bought the shop from the Moffett family in March of 2018, it was more than a business decision—it was the fulfillment of a dream. Jenny poured her heart into expanding the shop, adding classes, unique gifts, and even a full‑service coffee bar that quickly became a neighborhood favorite. "The aroma of coffee, tea and flowers is happiness", she declared.
While talking with WGNS, Jenny’s voice trembled as she said, “I just want the community to know that I truly appreciate their allowing me to be a part of their journey. The public has been so much of the sunshine in my life. I didn’t want them to drop by the flower shop to order an arrangement or gifts, only to find the door locked and the lights off. This wonderful community deserves to know why.”
For Jenny, serving customers was never just a job, it was a calling. She remembered the joy of delivering flowers each day to someone nominated as WGNS’ “Good Neighbor of the Day.” One memory still brings tears to her eyes: an elderly woman who was afraid to open the door until she learned a friend had nominated her to be “The Good Neighbor of the Day”. Those flowers were the first she had ever received. Jenny said moments like that were the honor of her life.
Over the years, Jenny created countless “heart‑filled” reminders—each one carrying a story. One was for a young child grieving the loss of his father. Jenny crafted a special teddy bear arrangement that the little boy could hold close--a symbol of comfort when words simply weren’t enough. On the other end of the mood spectrum, she crafted a joyful spray of color that warmly reminded someone how deeply they were loved. Her arrangements were never just flowers, they were messages of comfort, celebration, remembrance, and hope.
Then, without warning, everything changed. Jenny went from living a fully mobile life to suddenly needing a walker or wheelchair. There was no gradual decline, just an abrupt shift into a new reality. For a long period of time, she traveled back and forth to the Mayo Clinic, one of the world’s leading medical centers for complex and rare conditions, hoping for answers.
Jenny continued, “It will be five years this coming June when I woke up in a new world. I have hoped that I would one day wake up to my normal world or somewhat normal world again. It doesn’t appear that will be the case for me though. So many of you have been praying for me. Thank you.”
For anyone who has lived in Murfreesboro for any length of time, you know that Rion’s Flowers, Coffee & Gifts is more than just a shop. It was established by Mattie Rion in 1937 and was in that family for 4-generations as a vital part of the Heart of Tennessee. That's for over 85 years, and that history made the decision to close even more heartbreaking for Jenny and Chuck Harrison. They feel the weight of saying goodbye to friends who became family.
In a letter to the community, Jenny wrote, “This is one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do in my life. First, it is because I’ve come to love so many of you so much. You are more than customers to me. You’re more than suppliers and associates to me. You are family. I hope I made each of you feel that way. We were hoping to keep the shop going, but in this economy, it doesn’t appear that is going to happen.”
She ended her letter with the same grace she has shown throughout her journey: “Thank you so very much for being a part of our family and allowing us to be a part of yours. We will cherish those moments for the rest of our days.”
And Murfreesboro will cherish the memory of Jenny Harrison—her kindness, her artistry, and the way she made this community feel seen, loved, and remembered.
And as a footnote, if you have a balance on your account call Rion’s at (615) 893-7134 or mail your payment to P. O. Box 306; Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Rion Flowers Coffee & Gifts will be open only a few more days at 117 S. Academy St. in Murfreesboro.
