A CeCeSration of Life
for
Mrs. LiCy Mae Harris
Wednesday, FeSruary 22, 1928 Wednesday, d>ecemSer 28, 2016
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Monday, January 2, 2017
12:00 (PM
Pirst African Missionary (Baptist Cfiurcfi
128% Cfiurcfi Street Cfao(ton, gA 30417
(Reverend CCarence WiCCiams, (presiding
Reverend (Brandon Lewis, Pastor dE Lufbgist
Interment:
Hagan CHapeCM.(B. Cfiurcfi Cemetery
Hagan, Qeorgia
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Mrs. Lily Mae Graham Harris was the oldest of four children born to the late Mr. Richard and Mrs. Lottie Mae Bobbitt
Graham in Tattnall County. She was educated at one of many Rosenwald Schools, Manassas, GA.
Arbertee and Lily Mae met in the early forties and were married on July 31, 1943. While Arbertee was serving his Coun-
try in the Military, Lily Mae resided in Manassas and gave birth to their first baby girl, Harvesteen. After moving to Claxton
in 1946 at the present location, God blessed this marriage with four other girls.
Mrs. Lily Mae took in washing and ironing for various families in order to help with household expenses and still be at
home with her children. She also realized that she needed to clothe her girls. It was God who gifted her (she never took sew-
ing lessons) to make beautiful, frilled dresses, skirts and blouses from flour sacks and other materials available. She sent her
girls out looking like they had shopped at a boutique. Later, she along with her friend Mrs. Ruby Dell Baker sewed for others
including hats and scarves.
Mrs. Lily Mae joined her daughters at First African M. B. Church in 1956 under the leadership of Rev. S. L. Lee. During
the early years, she sung in the choir, taught Sunday School and served as assistant secretary. She served as Church secretary for
over 35 years. Other service positions were trustee. Deaconess President, Finance Ministry, Community Seniors Coordinator
(served lunches to seniors on 5th Sat), a dedicated Sunday School student and faithful mission worker.
Her Christian service was not limited to her beloved First African. She started working in the Mt. Calvary M. B. Associ-
ation in various positions in the Womens Department and was later elected as the first woman to hold the office of Secretary
of the Association in 1977 and served until 2007. A 1990 Mt. Calvary Honoree and Special Recognition given in 2007. In
addition, she served as Coordinator of 47-57 ministry in the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia under the
leadership of Mrs. C.M. Pearson, President Womens Division. Mrs. Lily Mae and Mrs. Ruby Dell, were frequent travelers to
State Conventions.
Mrs. Lily Maes love for her fellow citizen included delivering Christmas packages for the Gladiators. After performing
this service for a few years, she encouraged the Gladiators wives to come together and organize. As a result, they became the
Gladiettes and she served as their first President. Other social organizational service included. Rose Bud Garden club. Order
of Eastern Star O.E.S. #269, and over 40 years as a Jolly Twelve member.
Mrs. Lily Maes career started at Evans County High School as a Lunch Room Cook. She and Mrs. Ruby Dell, served
over 400 meals without modern convenience and completed their task by 2:30 P.M. She served as P.T.A. president for 2 years.
During her tenure, the attendance went from 80 to over 200 parents.
After leaving ECH, she was hired with Community Action in 1967. Mrs. Lily Mae, Mrs. Nita Bell, Mr. C.L. Bailey and
others were trailblazers of the Community Action Program. Her duties included traveling to places known and unknown
to her to inform people of services that were available in Evans County. Under Community Action, she delivered food to
four counties. She also helped to form the Genesis Housing Program and was assigned to the Weatherization Program. For
the program to stay functioning for a period of time, Mrs. Lily Mae and Mr. Robert Berry insulated over 50 houses without
assistance. Concerted Services took over Community Action in 1989 and hired her as Supervisor of Evans County Concerted
Services Center September 1986. She served the community in various ways, including assisting then Mayor Perry Deloach
with city surveys to find out the number of homes without adequate sanitation. Other duties were too numerous to list. She
retired on August 31, 2001 and continued to work with community seniors in various ways.
Mrs. Lily Mae was a special mama to Eula Faye, (T Baby) Gertie, John Paul, (deceased) Louise, Sandra, Sheila, Sheila
siblings. Pastor Lewis, Doris, and Juanita, she mentored Mamie and numerous others. A caretaker for several community
seniors. She was an avid reader, a writer of plays and loved to purchase and give away bibles and books. Her favorite scripture
was Proverbs 3:5&6.
She took her flight into the presence of God, Wednesday, the 28th and left a huge void in the lives of those she loved. She
was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 siblings, a daughter, and a son-in-law.
She is survived by her children: Harvesteen Torain, Brookeville, MD, Arberdeen Gamble, Philadelphia, PA, Patricia
and Charles Milton (son-in-law), Claxton, GA, Eileen & Nesta Rosado (son-in-law), Hyde Park, MA; brother Richard Gra-
ham Jr. & Delorls (sister-in-law), Cheltenham, MD; sisters-in-law: DuieEtta Turner Graham, St. Charles, MO, and Teresa
Swinson, Claxton, GA. Grands: Anthony Torain (Olivia), Yorktown, VA; Crystal Torain, Chantilly, VA; Diane Gamble, and
Lynn Gamble, Philadelphia, PA; Kelvin Harris, Claxton; Merissa Jones (Terrance), Carrollton, GA; Joy Harris, Brockton,
MA; Latashia Harris, Hyde Park, MA; Charles Jackson Jr. (Myra), Lithonia, GA; Nesta Rosado Jr., Fitchburgh, MA. Great
Grands: Darren, Arteia, Champaine, Saraha, William, Dayquan, Ronyai, Trinity, Isaiah, Emoni, Amaiah, Andre, Saffir, Am-
ari, Logan, Landon. Nieces, nephews, numerous cousins; a special cousin, Jeanette Young, spiritual sons and daughters too
numerous to name and a host of friends and loved ones.
Processional
Final Glance Family and Friends
Hymn: Amazing Grace
Scripture
Old Testament
New Testament.
Invocation.........
Selection..........
..................Choir
Reverend Robert Edwards
..Reverend Carolyn Green
. Reverend Alvin Williams
..................Choir
A Life of Service (Limit 2 minutes)
Church.................................................................Deacon Willie J. Hall
Deaconess Ministry.....................................................Sister Elizabeth Porter
Mt. Calvary M.B. Association...........................................Moderator Will White
Association/State Convention.........................................Mrs. Mary Ann Coleman
Community Action Services..............................................Mrs. Ophelia Gaines
Solo..........................................................................Brother Ben Deloach
Eulogy.......................
Recessional (Sweet By and By)
Pastor Brandon Lewis
INTERMENT
Hagan Chapel Cemetery
REPAST
v
The Family!
Jolly Twelve
Sllje Claxton Snterprise-Thursday, January 27, 2000
Woman of Achievement
Claxton Business and Professional Womens Club honored Lily Mae
Harris as the Woman of Achievement for year 1999-2000. Mrs. Har-
ris is active in the First African Missionary Baptist Church and has
been the Site Manager for Concerted Services, Inc. in Evans County
for the past 13 years. She has given her time, talent and financial
support to help make the community a better place to live. Shown
with Mrs. Harris in Abbie Gail Parham, member of Claxton B.P.W.
Active
Tony McKever
Onteria Glover
Marvin Welch
Daniel Brewton
Bennie Brown
Rommie Littles
Honorary
Anthony Torain
Kelvin Harris
Charles Jackson, Jr.
Nest a Rosado, Jr.
Rev. Earl Ricks, Jr.
Rev. Alvin Williams
Eastern Star OES #269, Mt. Calvary Association & Eriends
With Gratefiil Appreciation
The family of Mrs. Lily Mae Harris would like to express their deepest gratitude and appreciation for all the love, kind-
ness and thoughtful services that were bestowed upon them during their time of bereavement. Special Thanks to Kelvin,
Charles, Tony, Onteria, and Bennie for serving as her transport team, Eirst African Church family. Concerted Services,
Evans Memorial Cafeteria Stajffor tasty nutritious meals. Eastern Star OES #269, Mt. Calvary Association, Gladiettes,
Jolly Twelve, ECH Class of1968 and the Evans County Community Center stajf and volunteers.
May God Bless and Keep You!
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct they paths. Proverbs 3:5&6
Never Forget
Mama Harris----------
was not just special to us.
She was special.
And thats that.
Professional Services Entrusted To:
HARPERS FUNERAL HOME
125 North Broad Street Claxton, Georgia 30417
(912) 739-2658
www.hodgesfunerals.com
Juanita B. Hodges Yvonne Hodges Harold Jones
Owner General Manager Assistant Manager