Ms. Essie M. Harris

11/06/1923 - 07/04/2022

Obituary For Ms. Essie M. Harris

Ms. Essie Mae Harris, a resident of Lanett, AL, died Monday, July 4, 2022 at her residence.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church parking lot with Rev. Dr. Lamar Johnson, officiating.

Interment will follow in Mt. Hermon Cemetery, Lanett, AL. Davis Memorial Mortuary of Valley directing.

On July 4, 2022 Essie Mae Harris responded to the Lord calling her home. She was born on November 6, 1923 to the parentage of the late Bessie Morgan Hargett and the late Covis Heard. Reared in Shawmut (now Lanett), Alabama, she was a graduate of Lanier High School in Lanett, Alabama. Further studies resulted in her receiving a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degrees for Alabama State University in the field of Mathematics and Science. After completing college, she returned to her Alma Mater, Lanier High School as a Mathematics teacher until her retirement of 30 plus years.

Ms. Harris was an exceptional educator, mentor, motivator, and always led by example. She was a political activist showing great concern about her community and its citizens. She was committed to spiritual and social excellence. She had high moral values and standards. Her accomplishments are numerous depicting her grave concern for human dignity, freedom, and social reforms. She was affiliated with numerous civic and service organizations serving as: Director for Tri-County Volunteer Girl Scout Camp, Director of Camp Fun and Exploration for Pine Valley, Chairperson for special events in Lanett for St. Jude Research Hospital for Children, Recruiter for Chattahoochee Blood Bank and the American Heart Association, Chairperson for Cystic Fibrosis for West Shawmut, board member for the Valley United Fund, Advisory Committee for Chattahoochee Hospice, advocate for Alabama One-Church-One Child, member of the Board of Directors for Valley Haven School, Habitat for Humanity, Coordinator for Senior Citizens Recreation Center of West Shawmut, and Treasurer for the Valley Chapter of Alabama State University Alumni Association.

As a lifelong member of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, Ms. Harris was a faithful, active, and dedicated member. She has served as a Sunday School teacher, Departmental Superintendent for the Sunday School, Counselor for the Matron’s Department, Youth Director, Vacation Bible School Director, Programs Coordinator, and Correspondence Secretary for the church. On the district level, she served as the Spiritual Advisor for the Bowen East District Youth Conference, Executive Secretary for the Bowen East District Congress of Christian Education, Instructor and Lecturer for the Bowen East District Women’s Convention, and Programs Coordinator for the Bowen East District Matron’s Department.

Ms. Harris has received Community Service Awards from the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and the Secretary of State of Alabama; and she received the Most Outstanding Woman of the Year Award from the NAACP. Because of services rendered, a program “This Is Your Life Essie” was presented in her honor by her church in 1986. The Alabama League for the Advancement of Education was given in recognition of her support for excellence in education.

In 1995, a service of appreciation was given in her honor by friends and alumni of L. B. Sykes Junior High School (formerly Lanier High School). Again, in 1998, she was inducted into the Alabama Senior Citizen Hall of Fame. She was selected in 2006 to serve as Grand Marshall of the Valley-Wide Christmas Parade.

On January 17, 2022, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Lambda Zeta Omega Chapter recognized Ms. Harris as a Pioneer in the field of Education Funeral Services by Davis Memorial Mortuary of Valley.

She has given unselfishly of her time, talents, and resources to the people of Chambers County all of her life. She initiated Vacation Bible School at the following churches: Mount Hermon, Evergreen, Zion Rest, Rehoboth, and Greenwood.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Napoleon Heard and two sisters, Louverria White and Mattie Lou Woody.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: two nieces and one great-nephew who she reared, Iverria (Richet) Henderson, Decatur, GA, Brenda Stiggers, Lanett, AL, and Kelvin (Wylinda) Woody, Fayetteville, GA.

Other nieces and nephews who have served as caregivers: Gloria (Stanley) Davis, Valley, AL, Yolanda Hopkins, West Point, GA, Ronald Woody, Lanett, AL, Carl (Ligaya) White, Chula Vista, CA, and Jabari Lynch, Lanett, AL; a special great- nephew, Broderick Stiggers, and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives, god-children and friends.

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