Iona G. Harris

On July 10, 2005 at 7:50 a.m. IONA GRACE, our loving mother, sister, and grandmother, went to rest after a long battle with breast cancer. Iona Grace Land was the fifth child of thirteen born to the union of Reverend Pratheus C. and Freidonia J. Land, both deceased. Iona Grace, a remarkable woman of great stature, regal, ever adventurous, was willing to take risks and try something new. She graduated from Forest Park High School in 1969. During her time at Forest Park, Iona Grace was a member of the Creative Writing Club. After high school, Iona attended the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and received an undergraduate degree in Child Psychology, followed by a Master's Degree in English-Creative Writing from prestigious Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island at which time she was awarded a Creative Writing Fellowship and sponsored by the famed Gwendolyn Brooks. Iona Grace was a published author of poetry, and an inspiring mystery writer. Her works are published in literary journals and other theatre venues. Iona Grace was married on June 21, 1970 to Reverend Karl V. Harris in Baltimore, Maryland. Born from this union are sons Yuri, Nicholas, and Gabriel Harris. Iona worked at what was the C&P Telephone Company, Social Security Administration, Voice of America, and the Department of Transportation. She was an Adjunct Professor at Morgan University, provided educational support for Baltimore City Department of Education, and was a mediator for disputed partners. lona was a visionary, well traveled and a strategist for life planning. She was family historian whose recordings are and continue to give us life, legacy and perpetuity. Iona leaves to cherish her memory: her grandchildren, Nicholas Shaun Harris Jr., Gabrielle Harris, Anthony Williams, Christina Evans, Latoya Evans and Kenny Evans; five sisters, Patricia Culliver, Esperance Sutton, Jacqueline Dorsey, Riefondia Morgan and Juanita DeBellotte; six brothers, Frederick Land, Reuben Land, Peter Land, John Land, James Land, and David Land (Iona was preceded in death by her sister, Leah Land and Leah's son Dominic Land); and a host of other relatives and friends. She also leaves to mourn a special friend, Jacqueline Perry.

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Iona G. Harris

July 13, 1951 - July 10, 2005