Lillie Harris

LIlliE CUNNINGHAM HARRIS was born to James Cunningham Jr. and Rosa Blake Cunningham on February 15, 1929, in Lewisville, (Chester County) South Carolina. She was Rosa's first born and the overjoyed parents named her after her paternal grandmother. Lillie passed away early morning on March 18, 2015, at the Arbor Terrace Senior Living in Lanham, Md. Over her 86 years, Lillie was known by family and friends to be a pillar of strength, using her Christian faith to endure the Jim Crow South and personal challenges that would crumble many. Lillie, who loved school and learning, could only attend school sporadically, having instead to pick cotton for the family's survival. In 1948, Lillie's life changed dramatically. Her father died at the age of 47 while plowing a farm. There were 10 children including Lillie. With many younger brothers and sisters still living at home, she became a domestic worker for a family in High Point, North Carolina, sending back the money she earned to help her widowed mother. The family of evangelists traveled often, and Lillie sang and played the accordion with them on these trips. Lillie later returned to Chester to complete her education, graduating from Finley High School on May 28, 1952. Not long after earning her high school diploma, Lillie met the love of her life at a church in their hometown of Chester, S.c. Lillie was smitten, seeing William decked out in his Army uniform with a polish on his shoes so fine that he could practically see his reflection. He also fell in love with the pretty petite, fine-haired young woman.' William often joked that he thought twice about dating Lillie after he met so many of her siblings. He reasoned that his responsibility as her husband would include feeding them at times. He didn't know then that her extended family consisted of more than 110 first cousins - who mostly lived in Chester. Nevertheless, the two were married seven months later on December 28, 1952, at Chestnut Grove A.M.E. Zion Church in Chester. William and "Miss Chick," as William affectionately called his wife, settled in Baltimore, joining Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church. While William served on the usher board and as a Cub Scout leader, Lillie became a member of the sanctuary choir, South Carolina Club, Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society and participated in the Begin Anew After-School Program. In April 1958, Gail Lynn was born to the couple, but died four months later of pneumonia. In 1961, they became the delighted parents of Terry William, and two years later, Joyce Michelle. Lillie stayed home with the children until they reached school age. Never wanting to be totally dependent on anyone but Jesus, she found work in various factories and school systems around Baltimore. , She retired as a custodian from the Baltimore County Public School System (Riderwood Elementary School) in February 1991. In 1992, Lillie demonstrated how faith in Jesus can give anyone the ability to endure anything. She lost her mother on February 19 and William one day later. r Lillie had a zest for life, the strength and energy of a woman decades younger and the determination to get things done her way. Her humor, quick wit and enthusiasm were infectious. She enjoyed cooking for her large extended family, serving her legendary macaroni and cheese, turkey dressing, chicken and dumplings, fried corn, peach cobbler, sweet potato pie and ice tea for family din- ners. She could shop until you dropped - something she did all the time with her late sister Martha (the two sisters were joined at the hip). She loved her church, attending family reunions, participating in the Mt. Holly Street neighborhood as- sociation and performing community service. She also loved attending American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union meetings for retir- ees with her sister Lucille, and taking "little trips" with her brother William. Her other travels took her from Michigan and California to international destinations such as Nassau, Bahamas; Edinburgh, Scotland; and London, England. In her final days, Lillie fought a good fight. "I have only known her for nine years, but I have seen that she is a class act,' said her physician. Lillie is survived by her son Terry Harris, her daughter-in-law Patrice, and grandson Jordan William of Crystal Lake, Ill.; her daughter Joyce Harris of Bow- ie, Md.; two sisters, Janie Frazier, of Detroit, Mich. and Lucille McClinton of Baltimore; two brothers, William (Fronie) Cunningham of Baltimore and Tom mie Cunningham of San Bernardino, Calif.; a special brother-in-law Franklin Rosborough, of Baltimore; and two "other daughters," nieces Elaine Williams of Laurel, Md; and Yvonne Brunson of Columbia, Md. In addition to sister-in-law Fronie, Lillie also leaves three other sisters-in-law, Mary Macon of Elgin, S.c.; Lucinda Harris of Chester, S.c.; and Helena Harris of Baltimore as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.

Tributes

Lillie Harris

February 15, 1929 - March 18, 2015