Obituaries
Obituary for Velma Harris
Velma Marie Rodgers Harris
Our Mother, Velma Marie Rodgers Harris, was born on February 2, 1946 to the wonderful parents, Bishop E.W. Rodgers Sr. and Ruth Arlene Franklin Rodgers. She was the 6th child of 9 born to the couple. She loved her family wholeheartedly; especially her nieces and nephews. She gained her wings on January 2, 2022 and ascended to Heaven to be with her Heavenly Father.
She accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and never let go of his unchanging hand. She grew up at Lambert COGIC, the church her Father built and pastored.
Velma attended Douglass High School. She was a scholar of Distinction, one that exemplified beauty internally and externally. She was a gift that kept on giving, dedicating her life to her family and others in need. She was Miss. Douglass, a Debutante, President of the Daughters of Douglass and President of many fundraising committees and organizations dedicated to the development of the community. She was an Educator for the School of the Deaf in Texas for many years. She was passionate about her family, community and political endeavors.
She attended UCLA in California and returned to Memphis to continue her education at Memphis State, now known as the University of Memphis. She was also one of the First Black Women to work at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Memphis, TN and First Black Operators for the telephone company in Harrisburg, PA. She also worked for the United States Postal Service.
She was a devoted Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Cousin and Friend. To know her, was to love her! She always wore a smile and never complained. She personified a true, selfless, and caring spirit to those near and far.
In celebration of her legacy, she leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Bobby E. Harris; three daughters, Tonya (Dennard I) Ford, Trina Burkett, and Candice Harris; four brothers, Sinclair (LaShanda) Rodgers, Bishop Charles (Gloria) Rodgers, Elder Ralph (Jennifer) Rodgers, Sr., and Tony Rodgers; sisters-in-law, Luetricia Pringle, Felecia Harris, and Yvetta Harris; brothers- in-law, Alvin (Shirley) Harris, and Willie (Valerie) Harris; and a host of nieces, and nephews. She basked in the love of her beautiful grandchildren, three grandsons: Dennard Ford II, Christon Burkett and Marcus Postell; seven granddaughters, Destiny Blalock, Denasia Ford, Allure McCall, Ceniya Burkett, Tyriana Phelps and Tiffany Ford; and four great grandchildren, Dajon Ford, Aniya Ford, Mikayla Postell and Mica Postell.
She was preceded in death by her late husband, Everett C. Harris; two sisters, Asaline Bowman and Malvolia (Pastor Emeritus Readus C.) Smith; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Harris; and two brothers-in-law, Nicky (Helen) Harris and Isiah (Arellia) Harris.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0891.
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Our Mother, Velma Marie Rodgers Harris, was born on February 2, 1946 to the wonderful parents, Bishop E.W. Rodgers Sr. and Ruth Arlene Franklin Rodgers. She was the 6th child of 9 born to the couple. She loved her family wholeheartedly; especially her nieces and nephews. She gained her wings on January 2, 2022 and ascended to Heaven to be with her Heavenly Father.
She accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and never let go of his unchanging hand. She grew up at Lambert COGIC, the church her Father built and pastored.
Velma attended Douglass High School. She was a scholar of Distinction, one that exemplified beauty internally and externally. She was a gift that kept on giving, dedicating her life to her family and others in need. She was Miss. Douglass, a Debutante, President of the Daughters of Douglass and President of many fundraising committees and organizations dedicated to the development of the community. She was an Educator for the School of the Deaf in Texas for many years. She was passionate about her family, community and political endeavors.
She attended UCLA in California and returned to Memphis to continue her education at Memphis State, now known as the University of Memphis. She was also one of the First Black Women to work at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Memphis, TN and First Black Operators for the telephone company in Harrisburg, PA. She also worked for the United States Postal Service.
She was a devoted Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Cousin and Friend. To know her, was to love her! She always wore a smile and never complained. She personified a true, selfless, and caring spirit to those near and far.
In celebration of her legacy, she leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Bobby E. Harris; three daughters, Tonya (Dennard I) Ford, Trina Burkett, and Candice Harris; four brothers, Sinclair (LaShanda) Rodgers, Bishop Charles (Gloria) Rodgers, Elder Ralph (Jennifer) Rodgers, Sr., and Tony Rodgers; sisters-in-law, Luetricia Pringle, Felecia Harris, and Yvetta Harris; brothers- in-law, Alvin (Shirley) Harris, and Willie (Valerie) Harris; and a host of nieces, and nephews. She basked in the love of her beautiful grandchildren, three grandsons: Dennard Ford II, Christon Burkett and Marcus Postell; seven granddaughters, Destiny Blalock, Denasia Ford, Allure McCall, Ceniya Burkett, Tyriana Phelps and Tiffany Ford; and four great grandchildren, Dajon Ford, Aniya Ford, Mikayla Postell and Mica Postell.
She was preceded in death by her late husband, Everett C. Harris; two sisters, Asaline Bowman and Malvolia (Pastor Emeritus Readus C.) Smith; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Harris; and two brothers-in-law, Nicky (Helen) Harris and Isiah (Arellia) Harris.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0891.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
14
Jan
3:00 PM
- 5:00 PM
Serenity Funeral Home
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Service
Saturday
15
Jan
1:00 PM
New Dimensions Ministries
3607 Frayser-Raleigh Road
Memphis, TN 38128
Inurnment
Monday
17
Jan
10:00 AM
Memphis National Cemetery
3568 Townes Ave.
Memphis, TN 38122
Cemetery Details
Location
Memphis National Cemetery
3568 Townes Ave.
Memphis, TN 38122
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