Clara Harris

Clara (Bell) Harris, daughter of the late James and Hester Gregory, was born on March 10, 1922 in Drakes Branch, Virginia. She was ninety-two when she suddenly departed this life on July 10, 2014 at Brinton Woods Post-Acute Care Center. Clara was raised and educated alongside her eight sisters and four brothers in Drakes Branch, also where she received Christ at an early age and was baptized at Organ Hill Baptist Church. On December 9, 1937, Clara married the late Odell Harris and from their union on June 19, 1939 they were blessed with a daughter Nannie Olivia, and shortly after Clara and Odell moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1940. On August 16, 1942, Clara and Odell were blessed again with a son Willie Jerome. Clara lived and worked in Baltimore for quite some time until she moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1966, where she worked as a Domestic. In 1986, Clara retired and returned to Baltimore to be with her family, where she lived for many years with her sister Willie Bea Bryan, where they hosted many family gatherings. She also recommitted her life to Christ alongside her daughter Nannie and joined Perkins Square Baptist Church. Clara was a very good cook from her chicken and dumplings, cabbage and her smothered fried chicken. Clara loved spending time with her sisters and brothers at family functions, and especially loved to spend time with her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed taking trips to the country with her late sister Gracie to visit their brother James and his wife Arlene. She briefly came out of retirement to work as a daycare helper at her niece's Clara Mae Harrid's daycare center. She had a heart of gold, and anyone in need Clara was there to help. Sadly in 1988, Clara and Odell laid to rest their only son Willie Jerome Harris, and on June 5, 2003, Clara laid to rest her husband Odell Harris. Clara was very loved by all who knew her. During her final years, Clara lived independently in her apartment in Bolton North until this past October when she was moved to Brinton Woods not due to illness, she just wasn't able to get around the way she used to. At Brinton Woods, Clara was loved and adored by so many, who were in awe of her vibrant personality and sharp wit at her age, and there she was affectionately referred to as Mama or Grandma. Clara leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Nannie O. Barker; two sisters, Annie Anderson and Willie Bea Bryan; two brothers, Charles Gregory and James Gregory; two granddaughters, Karen Jackson and Tiana Barker and three grandsons, Darryl Jackson Sr., Dwayne Jackson and Damon Jackson Sr.; fifteen great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

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Clara Harris

March 10, 1922 - July 10, 2014