Frid a y , m ay 27,201! 2:00 PM Gardner! Grove Baptist C hurch D r . R ufus C opeland sr . Pastor Bishop willie j. Jackso n , officiating aMrs.Verda Mae Shaw Harris,entered into rest i I on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the Georgia Health Science Univer sity Hospital (formally Medical College of Georgia) in Augusta, Georgia. |She was born on July 22,1947 the youngest daughter of 12 chil dren born to the late Richard Shaw, Sr. and Minnie Mae Rouse Shaw Wilson in Augusta, Georgia. At an early age she was bap tized at Macedonia Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. She -- moved her membership to People's Baptist Church when she mar ried her husband. She later moved her membership to St. Paul Baptist Church. In her later years, she joined Christ Centered Outreach Ministry where she was named Mother of the Church. Throughout her Christian life, she served the Lord in various capacities to include singing in the choir, serving in the Missionary Society, and serving as the coordinator of the Hospitality Committee. Her partents raised her to serve the Lord with glad ness all the days of her life and she did so as long as her health would allow. On July 16,1963, she married the late Deacon William James Harris, Sr. To this un ion, two children were born. She spent her life ministering to her family in her home. Her family was her priority and she loved caring for them. In her later years, her joy was further expanded with the birth of Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren who she thoroughly enjoyed. She leaves to cherish fond memories a son Deacon William James Harris, Jr.; a daughter Mrs. Alesia Denise Harris (Juan) Parsons; six Grandchildren Shadtell Har ris, Stephanie (Michael) Daniels, Nealie A. (Yvonne) Lawerence, Sr., Timothy L. Har ris, LaDora A. Harris, and John C. Harris, sr.; eight great-grandchildren Raymond, Mikiah, Shamya, Mikah, Nealie Jr, Nealie, Patice and John Jr.; one sister Earthie Lee D'Antignac; one brother Louis Shaw; God-Children, Larry & Janice, Meloney J. Curry, Mark Curry and Elesta Curry; dear friends Minnie Lee Beard, Carolyn Smiley, Ruby and David Pierce. Several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. A person to Love, A person to Cherish One who has love as Jesus, our brother One who doesn't just love herself, But, could love the world and others. She built a great past, one to last. She also took a graceful stand. Filled with passion, strengtened by God To care for her seven babies and six grands. A power in her work extraordinary Honorer of the church Faithful service to her family and the Lord She used to say the most important thing in The world is to stay alive (Smile) Maybe that's what she left us here to continue to strive. Granma Verdie: My Man, Solid as a Rock Tony: My Woman, Solid as a Rock Grandma: My Man, Solid as a Rock Tony: My Woman, Solid as a Rock Loveingly submitted The Family RESOLUTION FOR MOTHER VERDA MAE HARRIS Today, we the members of Christ Centered Outreach Ministry; are faced with the lost of our Dear Church Mother, Mother Verde Mae Harris, and while our hearts are heavy, our faith is renewed with the hope that we will see her again, and encouraged and consoled in the words of Jesus who said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake theed". Mother Verdie J. Harris was a woman of purpose, love and joy. Because we know that Jesus loves us, that in this moment of our grief and sorrow, we can be as sured that he will be and is our ever present help and comforter; so, on this wise, we rejoice in the knowledge that in his love we can find peace for such a time as this. We, the officers and members of Christ Centered Outreach Ministry do here and now pause to of fer sympathy to the entire Harris Family in their loss of Sister Verda Mae Harris and want you to know that our hearts are with you as we gather to celebrate the life of this great women of faith. We acknowledge and give thanks to God for bestowing upon us the honored privilege to haveknown Mother Verda Mae Harris. Whereas; she was a loving and devoted mother to William and Alesia. A reverent woman of prayer who loved the Lord, and prayed for her Children , God-Children and Grand-Children. Whereas; She seved as Mother Of Christ Centered Outreach Ministry and was example of humility, devotion and steadfastness. Whereas; her humor and laughter attracted many to hear the words that would ultimately guide them towards a victorious life with Christ; Whereas; her spirit of praise brought strength and joy into her life as well as the life of those around her; Whereas; her influence and encouragement has caused many to hold on to their faith and their tes timony looking for what she is enjoying even now; Be it further resolved that we join the family in this time of great loss and extend our love, prayers, and support; and Finally, be it resolved that we believe Mother Verda Mae Harris realized the benefits of her prepa rations in this life and is even now in the presence of the Lord. We resolve that a copy of this resolution be given to the family and copies be placed with the church records. The Officers and Members of Christ Centered Outreach Ministry. Bishop Willie Jackson, Pastor (pJ/u/f/r/i/yf S dde,C $ id 'ea/P I'd been on this battlef ield oh, so very long. Every heartache or tear served only to make me strong. Each battle I fought, I held so very dear. Just when all seemed lost, he'd suddenly appear. Verdi, my child I Love you, he'd always say. You're never alone, I'm near night or day. Through the darkest of nights, I hear every sigh. Just keep praising me my love, please don't cry. William and Alesia, I say please love each other. I'm gone with the Lord, you'll never have another Mother. To my church family, remember, love is the most excellent way. I long to see Family and Friends on that beautiful day. I saw the brightest of lights, I heard the sweetest song. I praised, I cried, I shouted, nearly all night long. My God, My Jesus, My Saviour, Lord can anybody hear. I looked, to my amazement, In a twinkling of an eye... SUDDENLY, MY JESUS DID APPEAR. Humbly submitted Rev. Cecelia Thompkins Homegoing Service Rev . carl Andrews, presiding O rgan Prelude PROCESSIONAL& PARTING VIEW C elebration of PRAISE..................................................................................GARDNER GROVE CHOIR P r a y e r ...................................................................................................... ........ R e v . c e c e lia t h o m p k in s S c r iptu r e R e a d in g : O L D T E S T A M E N T ................................................................... N E W T E S T A M E N T .................................................................. S o l o .......................................................................................................... .......REV. GEORGE T. MCCORD R e s o l u t io n ........................................................................................... T r ibu tes of love ( 2 M inutes Please) A s A FRIEND..................................................................................... A s A NEIGHBOR.............................................................................. ..................m r s . B e r th a fitts PLAYDAUGHTER............................................................................... G o d d a u g h t e r ............................................................................... ....... M r . ELESTER MIDDLETON C e l e b r a t io n o f p r a is e ....................................................................... ...........GARDNER GROVE CHOIR A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s & o b it u a r y .................................................. ......................SIS. MELITA LOWE W o r d s o f c o m f o r t ............................................................................ ............ D r , R u fu s c o p e l a n d C e l e b r a t io n o f p r a is e ....................................................................... ........... GARDNER GROVE CHOIR E u lo g y ............................................................................................................. b is h o p w il l ie j . ja c k s o n Pastor, christ centered outreach ministry B e n ed ic tio n Re c e s s io n a l REPAST GARDNER GROVE FELLOWSHIP HALL HONORARY PALLBEARER Dea. Frank Donahue PALLBEARER Dourean Simmons James Marshall John Owens Phillip Moore Acknowledgements The family wish to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern and kindness shown to us during this hour of bereavement. Funeral A rrangements Entrusted To: C. A. Reid Sr. Funeral Home Augusta, GA