Maria A. Harris

Maria Althea Harris, daughter of the late Leroy Jones and Thelma Haynes, was born on August 7, 1937 in Charleston, South Carolina.“Moriah”, as she was called by her parents, attended school in Charleston, and after graduation from Bonds-Wilson High School, she came to Baltimore where she was employed at Regal Laundry. In 1958, Maria enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), being stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. After four years of service, Maria was honorably discharged and decided to reside in New York.After some time, Maria returned to Baltimore where she met and married her husband of 35 years, Edward L. Harris. She was employed with the Maryland State Parole and Probation Department, and after receiving Early Childhood Education Certification from the Community College of Baltimore, she was employed at the Maryland Church Community Day Care Center for many years.While in Baltimore, Maria was a member of the Mt. Hebron Baptist Church. In her later years she attended church services where she resided at the Greenhill Housing Authority under the ministerial leadership of Reverend William Durham. While residing at Greenhill, she served in the food ministry and also as Vice President of the Tenant Council.Maria looked forward to “Walking Around Heaven All Day” (as her favorite hymn goes) and finally reached this destination on Sunday, July 27, 2003 when she departed this life.Among those left to mourn are: her devoted husband, Edward L. Harris; four children, Sonja Denise Jones, Craig R. Harris and his wife Stephanie B. Harris, Lisa M. Harris and her fiancee Noland T. Watts, and Keith R. Harris and his wife Sylvia Y. Harris; six grandchildren, Christopher Jones, Kimberleigh A. Harris, Niana A. Harris, Kiara J. Harris, Kai J. Harris and Kailyn M. Harris; eight siblings, Mildred Forehand, Leroy and Marianna Jones, Nathaniel and Hester Jones, Clayton McDaniel, Jerome McDaniel, Miriam and John Mattocks, Ervin and Deborah McDaniel, and Linda McDaniel Walker; an aunt, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will fondly remember the life of Maria.

Tributes

Maria A. Harris

August 7, 1937 - July 27, 2003