R
R eflections of a “B lessed ” L ife eflections
MARY ELIZABETH MITCHELL HARRIS was born on September 4, 1933 -- the ninth child of fourteen siblings – to the late Joe and Tishie Mae Mitchell. The Lord called, and she answered on the morning of Tuesday, July 20, 2021. She graciously accepted her Wings, and quietly went home to God. At the tender age of eleven, Mary confessed her belief and hope in Christ Jesus at the Shiloh Baptist Church, as it was known then. She was a true Servant to God’s Will under the leadership of Pastor G. T. Thomas, Pastor R. L. James, Pastor Amos Terrell, Pastor W. N. Gray, Pastor Joe B. Williams, Pastor Arthur Snow, Pastor Fred C. Lofton, and present Pastor Franklin Collins, Sr. She leaves a legacy of servanthood with the Sunday School Ministry (member, teacher, pianist); advisor for the junior choir; and a lead singer for the #1 Choir; the Glory-Bound Singers; the Gospel Chorus; the Sanctuary Choir; and the Golden Girls Gospel Group.
Mary was a 1955 graduate of Melrose High School -- a proud Golden Wildcat and resident of the Orange Mound Community. In 1965, she united in Holy Matrimony to Roosevelt Harris, Jr. They were blessed with 53 years of marriage before his homegoing in 2018. Mary was employed by General Electric, Inc., for over 20 years, retiring at the age of 56. She stood on God’s Promise, believing that He would provide. Her skills in crocheting and embroidery, as well as being a licensed Cosmetologist, carried her a long way. But, those baking skills!! The wedding cakes; the birthday cakes; the caramel cakes; the infamous chocolate chip brownies – were sought after by generations of family and friends everywhere! If you had the pleasure of knowing Mary, you know she never met a stranger. Her first questions would be, “Who are your folks? Where did y’all live?” If you talked to her long enough, she would know somebody you were related to. She believed in strengthening the ties that bind us together. She called to check on you; she prayed for you and with you. She did whatever it took to let you know she cared. We’ll miss that! Mary was blessed to live a full and joyful life. She was preceded in death by her mother, Tishie Mae Lewis Mitchell; her father, Joe Mitchell, Sr.; her husband, Roosevelt Harris, Jr.; seven brothers: Charles Mitchell, Sr.; Joseph Mitchell, Jr.; Perry Mitchell, Sr.; Ernest Mitchell, Sr.; Arthur Mitchell, Sr.; David Mitchell; Willie Mitchell and Robert Bradley; and three sisters, Melissa Mitchell Brown; “Baby Girl” Mitchell; and Gloria Mitchell Rhyne. She leaves many loving family members to cherish her memory: Three sisters: Letishie Mitchell Wilson of Elmont, NY; Lillian Mitchell Gunn of Belleville, NJ; and Janie Mitchell Taylor of Perris, CA; two nieces she helped her parents raise: Mona Diane Jones and Myra Kay Brooks; a great-nephew she raised, Major Mitchell Brooks, U. S. Army/Grafenwoehr (Deutschland), Germany; a step-daughter, Patricia Harris-Morehead (Ricky), Nashville, TN; a step-son, Gerald Mason, Muncie, IN; three sisters-in-love, Martha Mitchell of Fontana, CA; Gracie Harris Taylor of Arlington, TN; and Magnolia Harris Jones of Memphis, TN; her step-grandchildren; a tremendous host of nieces, nephews, and cousins from the Mitchell & Harris families; and an abundance of devoted church members and friends.
The Celebration of Life
Celebration Mary Elizabeth Harris Saturday, July 31, 2021 • 11:00 A.M.
Greater New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church 835 Maywood Street • Memphis, Tennessee 38114
Pastor Franklin A. Collins, Sr. ~ Officiant ~
Prelude Celebration Opening......................................................................................“Every Praise” Scripture Readings: Old Testament.......................................................................Minister A.Y. Nunley, Jr. New Testament......................................................................Minister Lavern Stewart Prayer of Comfort............................................................................Bishop Jerald Bailey, Sr. Musical Selection.............................................................................Bishop Jerald Bailey, Sr.
“Reflections” (Three Minutes Please)
Terrance Jones & Mitchell Brooks, Great-Nephews Deacon Emmitt Madkins Deaconess Mae F. Martin
Family Tribute
Keith Mitchell, Nephew Mona Diane Jones, Niece Musical Tribute...............................................................................................“I Am Blessed” Words of Comfort..........................................................................Missionary Hazel Devould Acknowledgements & Resolutions..................................................................Sis. Diane Cole Eulogy..........................................................................................Pastor Franklin Collins, Sr. Recessional........................................................................................“ I Shall Wear a Crown” “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7
The
Legacy
A TRIBUTE TO OUR SISTER, MARY MITCHELL HARRIS
Oh, when did I meet you!?! Being five years younger, I’m trying to remember. Was it when Willie, Lillian and I were making mud cakes under the Chinaberry tree? Or was it when Aunt Rosie brought candy to us when she shopped at Kress in Downtown Memphis? Or was it when Nookie and Big Sister babysat us when Mama went to work? Or was it when Perry drove us to see you when you waved to us from the window of your hospital room? Or later, when Mama baked homemade rolls for you and told me to prepare the others for us to eat? Faint early memories. Oh, but the memories when I became a teenager! I trailed you and Lillian on many dates that the two of you had. I was in the back seat of your boyfriends’ cars and was delighted that Mama allowed me to go with you two. Little did I realize; I was the Tell-it-all Chaperone. Oh, the days at Shiloh Baptist Church where you sang solos in the Youth Choir with your beautiful voice, and I tried to do the same with my monotone out of tune voice. Only Mama would say Amen to my singing, but the whole Church would applaud you and worship with Shouts as you sang. William Lee got so happy; he ran to where you were standing to pick you up and broke your watch. You choked up one Sunday as you sang when you looked in the congregation and saw Lillian with her feet in your beautiful shoes you had recently purchased. One of the brothers of the church shouted, ‘Help her Lord, Help her!’ Later, you told us you weren’t happy; you were shocked to see Lil in your shoes! Leaving home for college at 18, I could hardly wait to visit on my first summer break. You were there, Lillian was there, and Jean - still a youngster was there, and the wonderful 30 days were full of joy and adventures. I had finally reached that adult age with Lillian and you. For the next 67 years of my returns to Memphis, you were there. Returning with my husband, you were there. Returning with my son, you were there. Returning to Memphis for Family and Melrose School Reunions, you were there. For all Vacations, you were there. For all Funerals, you were there. For Anniversaries, you were there. For Everything Memphis, you were there. For 67 years of my returns, and even more years for Nookie and Lillian’s returns, YOU WERE THERE! We were all Young together, now we are all Old together, and things have changed. GOD has called you home. Lillian is there with you; Nookie is in New York, and I am here in California, both of us watching FACEBOOK as you take your rest. We love you, but God loves you best. With heavy hearts. . . We Bid You Farewell. . . Love . . . Sisters always. . . Nookie, Lillian, and Janie
~Acknowledgements ~
We, the family of MARY ELIZABETH MITCHELL HARRIS, express our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Greater New Shiloh Church Family and many friends for the love and support shown during this time of bereavement. Your prayers, telephone calls, cards, visits, flowers, delicious meals, and other expressions of kindness meant so much to us. May God continue to shower His richest blessings upon you for your thoughtfulness.
~The Family
~ Honorary Pallbearers~ Greater New Shiloh Golden Girls Gospel Group Greater New Shiloh Sanctuary Choir Greater New Shiloh Sunday School
~Active Pallbearers ~ Gerald Mitchell
Mitchell Brook Carlos Reid, Sr. Ricky Collins Terrance Jones, Sr.
Keith Mitchell Perry Mitchell, Jr.
~Interment ~
Harris-Taylor Family Cemetery 1320 Orr Road Arlington, Tennessee 38002
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