Lucy Winnie Harris

Mother Lucy Winnie Williams Braxton-Harris was born June 18, 1925 in Warrenton, North Carolina to the late David and Mary Alice Williams. She was educated at John R. Hawkins High School. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Joseph and Percy Williams, sister, Bertha Denson, two sons Edward and Samuel Braxton, and her daughter Aliceteen Williams. Living in Warrenton she met and married Jessie Braxton in the year of 1946 and out of that union seven children were born, Janette, Carrie, Edward, Samuel, Jesse, Aliceteen, and Ethearl Braxton. Mother Harris was a house wife who devoted her time to nurturing the love in her children that they all have exhibit today. Mother Harris received Jesus Christ at an early age at Spring Green Baptist Church while living in North Carolina. After the passing of her husband, she moved to Hackensack, New Jersey where her daughter Janette lived. She attended New Hope Baptist Church for many years and later married Deacon Joseph Harris. She served as a Deaconess at New Hope Baptist Church and worked at Neumann Wholesale Drug Pharmacy as a Stock Clerk for over 15 years. She later retired and moved to Richmond, VA after the passing of her second husband. She found a place on Oakland Avenue in south Richmond and her home was next door to Redeem Church of God in Christ which was under the leadership of Pastor Elder Willie and Pearl Weatherspoon at that time. She began attending Redeem and later became a member of Redeem C.O.G.I.C. Mother Harris served on the Communion Board and helped the other mothers in the kitchen preparing dinners. She also served on the Mother Board with all the Mothers of Old, the Prayer Warriors. Mother Harris was the neighborhood watch person, looking out for the church building and others in the neighborhood. Redeem moved to Bryce Lane and Mother Harris later moved to Dominion Place where she attended bible study from time to time when she could not make it to Redeem. She was a person who loved to help the residents at Dominion Place and also love to go shopping on the VAN. She went to work part-time as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) at an assistant living facility called La’Ross in her neighborhood. She was self-taught by God for she loved to be a servant. While serving on the Redeem Communion Board she showed her dedication to Communion by prepared the linen faithfully for Communion Sunday. She welcomed the visits to the nursing home with the Outreach Ministry on the 2nd, 4th & 5th Sunday of the month until she not longer could attend. She was appointed the Church Mother after the former church mother passed. She was also the Mother Board Treasurer for many years. Pastor George Williams had no hesitation if she should be the church mother for she had a spirit of humbleness, meekness, gentleness, and love along with the spirit of being a caring mother. She had several spiritual daughters in the church, however continued to be a mother to all. She loved to bake sweet potato pies and sharing them with the members of the church. Besides shopping, she also enjoyed going out to eat after Sunday services. When Mother Harris fell and broke her hip and wrist at the age of 88 in 2014, she recovered like she had never fallen. Her praise spirit, faith and love for Christ healed her greatly. The saying when the praise go up, the blessing comes down, Mother Lucy was truly the living example of Psalm 67. She would praise God through her good times, her bad times and even through her pain. She often said, “My God did it!” and she gave God the Glory and Praise for that healing. After her healing she moved in with her daughter Carrie and she continue to attend church and began going to Senior Connection. She was involved in all their activities and especially loved when they all went out to eat. In her last days here on this earth with her illness she continued to praise God and she always said she was ready to go home to be with the Lord. So God heard her cry, came for her with outstretched hands and touched her on May 3, 2017 to transition her to the pearly gates of heaven. To God Be the Glory!!! For to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. She leaves to cherish her memory Janette Carroll (Anthony), Carrie Watkins, Jesse Braxton (Elizabeth) and Ethearl Braxton; thirteen grandchildren, one devoted Caren Dunston which was the apple of her eye; twenty-six great grandchildren and five great great- grandchildren; a devoted friend, Henry Clay Davis; a host of special god-children, other relatives and friends. ________________ Mother Lucy Winnie Williams Braxton-Harris was the second oldest Mother of Redeem Church of God in Christ. She is the last of the Mothers of Old Prayer Warriors and will be greatly missed for she has touch so many individuals lives with her loving spirit. Her church motto is “Push Love” and that is what she did! I’m Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that peace at the close of the day. If my parting has left a void then fill it with memories of joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much; good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, lift up your heart and share with me God wanted me now, He set me free!

Tributes

Lucy Winnie Harris

June 18, 1925 - May 3, 2017