Obituary for Laura Anne Harris
Obituary
Laura Anne Harris was born in Greenville, South Carolina, to the late Omena and Henry Leggett, on May 23, 1936. Laura departed her life on Monday, March 11, 2024, at her home in Fairmont Heights, Maryland.
Laura was reared by her late uncle and aunt, Melvin and Margaret Harris. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at Abel Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. After graduating from high school, she relocated to Washington, DC. Later, she joined Community Baptist Church, where she served as a faithful member for nearly 40 years until the declining of her health. Her compassion to serve her church and community lead her to serve in several ministries, including the Chairperson of the Deaconess Board, faithful Senior Choir member, Bible study member, Missionary, and Culinary Ministry. She always took the time to care for her elderly neighbors as well as serving others that were in need.
Upon moving to Washington, DC, she began working at Fort McNair Officers Club in food services, where she took pride in preparing banquet feasts. She later joined the workforce for the State of Maryland until she retired in 2006.
Laura’s faith, dedication, and love were always the central focus in how she served her family. Her deep love for her family and friends was demonstrated through her acts of kindness. Her favorite pastimes were cooking, gardening, and spending quality time with her family— especially her grands. Her love for her grandchildren was unconditional and there was no task too big or small. She loved preparing family meals, and she was a chef in her own right. She could cook anything, yet she was known for her famous candied yams and sweet potato pies.
Laura was kind, caring, and gentle in spirit, and her words of wisdom were always guided by her faith. Her favorite scriptures were Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”; Psalm 27, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?;” and Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
Laura was married to the late John Wesley Harris. To cherish her memory, she is survived by her children: Tonja (Lionel) Heard, Sonya (Kevin) Meadows, Walayna (Milton) Hilliard, Terri (James) Pinkney, Ronald; three sons proceeded her in death; William, Melvin and Kelvin; fifteen grandchildren: KaWanna, Shawnette, Trevin, Tiffany (Maurice), Laura, Kevin, Justin, Teiara, Kelvin, Lorranda, Chanelle, James, Jr., Jalynn, Lauren, Ronald, Jr.; and eight great grandchildren: Vincent, Renee, Jeremiah, Sonya, Jainell, Isaiah, Laura, and Arie.
She also leaves to cherish her memories her South Carolina family, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Laura Anne Harris was born in Greenville, South Carolina, to the late Omena and Henry Leggett, on May 23, 1936. Laura departed her life on Monday, March 11, 2024, at her home in Fairmont Heights, Maryland.
Laura was reared by her late uncle and aunt, Melvin and Margaret Harris. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at Abel Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. After graduating from high school, she relocated to Washington, DC. Later, she joined Community Baptist Church, where she served as a faithful member for nearly 40 years until the declining of her health. Her compassion to serve her church and community lead her to serve in several ministries, including the Chairperson of the Deaconess Board, faithful Senior Choir member, Bible study member, Missionary, and Culinary Ministry. She always took the time to care for her elderly neighbors as well as serving others that were in need.
Upon moving to Washington, DC, she began working at Fort McNair Officers Club in food services, where she took pride in preparing banquet feasts. She later joined the workforce for the State of Maryland until she retired in 2006.
Laura’s faith, dedication, and love were always the central focus in how she served her family. Her deep love for her family and friends was demonstrated through her acts of kindness. Her favorite pastimes were cooking, gardening, and spending quality time with her family— especially her grands. Her love for her grandchildren was unconditional and there was no task too big or small. She loved preparing family meals, and she was a chef in her own right. She could cook anything, yet she was known for her famous candied yams and sweet potato pies.
Laura was kind, caring, and gentle in spirit, and her words of wisdom were always guided by her faith. Her favorite scriptures were Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”; Psalm 27, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?;” and Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
Laura was married to the late John Wesley Harris. To cherish her memory, she is survived by her children: Tonja (Lionel) Heard, Sonya (Kevin) Meadows, Walayna (Milton) Hilliard, Terri (James) Pinkney, Ronald; three sons proceeded her in death; William, Melvin and Kelvin; fifteen grandchildren: KaWanna, Shawnette, Trevin, Tiffany (Maurice), Laura, Kevin, Justin, Teiara, Kelvin, Lorranda, Chanelle, James, Jr., Jalynn, Lauren, Ronald, Jr.; and eight great grandchildren: Vincent, Renee, Jeremiah, Sonya, Jainell, Isaiah, Laura, and Arie.
She also leaves to cherish her memories her South Carolina family, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.