Homegoing Servce for
1917-1994
Friday, August 5, 1994
Wake: 6:30 p.m. Funeral: 7:00 p.m.
In the Chapel of March Funeral Home - West
4300 Wabash Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland
Obituary Order of Service
BERTHA HARRIS-BANKS, daughter of the late Sally and Phillip Harris, sister of the late China Cooley, Linwood Harris, Walter Harris, William Harris, Martin Harris and Jessie Harris, was born on July 14, 1917 in Gum Springs
HYMN Virginia. She departed this life on July 29th.
Bertha received her education in Gum Springs, Virginia. Bertha became the wife of Fred M. Banks and the mother of Pudding, Fred Jr., Patsy, Mary Lou, and Wesley Lee. After the birth of Mary Lou, Bertha and Fred moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wesley Lee was born and they went on to Baltimore, Maryland in 1953, where she lived until her death.
Bertha was a warm and self-sacrificing mother, sharing sister, neighbor and friend. Her greatest and most personaljoy were her children, whom she cared for with the paw of a lioness, and she would charge to protect them from harm. She was a tummy warmer on cold days and a bedside nurse in sickness. She shared the comfort of her home with those she loved, and those loved by her family members. Songs of praise were heard by her children during her daily cleaning routine. They learned the art of love and compromise from her; God was within them. If Bertha had a sandwich you could get half, even being a stranger at her door. If she had a dollar, you could get at least fifty cents. Bertha was devoted to her father after her mother's early death. She even sacrificed school to be a surrogate mother to her younger brothers, especially the late and her devoted "baby" brother, Jessie Harris. She was a helping hand to some who are now on their feet; she hated hunger and pain. Her blessings were always in her children, gTandchildren and the joy of sharing a meal. Her favorite things were birds chirping, squirrels running up trees, a cool breeze and above all pleasures, a glass of running water, "Ahhhhhh, I don't care what nobody says, God made the best drink when he made water! It's a good breeze, tonight; Lord have mercy, Im gonna sleep good too!"
She leaves to mourn: her children, Fred Jr., Margaret, Mary and Wesley her sixteen grandchildren, her eighteen great-great grandchildren; two sisters in-law, Adele Harris and Mildred Harris (and her sister, Geneva Norris); one brother-in-law, Sam Cooley of Virginia; two daughters-in-law, Carlotta BankS (Fred) and Elizabeth Banks (Fred), one son-in-law, Raymond Gritfin (Mary precious nephews and niece
SCRIPTURE
PRAYER
SELECTION REMARKS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
OBITUARY
SELECTION
EULOGY devoted friends, Raymond Stil of Virginia and onnny Race of host of precious relatives and friends, especially in her birth home, Virginia.
Until Paradise Returns, Muma, BENEDICTION Fred, Patay, Mary Lou and Wesley Lee
Recaptured Love
Grandma,
You were someone s0 dearly special when we were dmall. You bad the most comfortable lap iun the whole wide worlo, and as we grew, you contunued to have the mast loviung, fat arms and the uarmest heart. You were our Grandma and we could come to you wilb any problem, trustung you to keep our Jecrels. We knew we could countl on you for love, understanding, sympathy and advocate support.
Above all else, Grandma, you were my bestfriund and Ifel blessed that you knew it too! I may not see yourfleshly face, but I will always see yourface in my memory because you ve become a part of mne.
Good-bye and hello, love you always and always!
Brandy your Granddaughter, your Grandchildren, your Great-Grandchildren
Bertba will return to Virginia to abare her earthly bed with ber oldest daugbter, "Pudding", rejoicing!
Interment
The Mealy Family Cemetery Gum Springs, Virginia
Saturday, August 6, 1994 2:30 p.m.
Acknowledgement
The family acknowledges with sincere gratitude, the kindness of acts and expressions of kindness, visits, calls, flowers, love offerings from friends and neighbors, during this period of 8rief.