April 17 1936 June 10 2019 (age 83)
A homegoing celebration for Mrs. Irene Elizabeth Ferrell Harris of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Monday, June 10, 2019 will be held on Saturday, June 22nd, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of College Hill, 3838 N. 29th Street, Rev. S. Evan Burrows, pastor, Rev. Christopher Jarnegan, officiating. The interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. Irene Elizabeth Ferrell Harris was born to the late Grady E. Ferrell, Sr. and Gussie White Ferrell Patten on April 17, 1936 in Statesboro, Georgia. She was educated in the Hillsborough County Public School system, completing her secondary education as a PROUD senior of Middleton Senior High School graduating class of 1954. She continued her education in early childhood and was awarded a Child Development Associate Credential. As a child Irene attended First Baptist Church of College Hill under the leadership of the late Reverend J. C. Robinson with her mother and siblings. She later became a member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late W. H. Gordon where she was an active member of Young Adult Choir. Later in life she united in marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Willie Harris, Sr. and to this union their families blended together in love. She then returned to First Baptist Church of College Hill under the leadership of late Reverend Abraham Brown rededicating her life to Christ. She was an active member of Sunday School, Senior Adult Choir, Jolly Seniors Ministry, Eva Huggins Mission Ministry and Women’s Planning Council. She was also affiliated with several organizations that include, The Hostess Club, an alumna of Middleton Senior High School Class of 1954, Benevolence/Corresponding Secretary, Village Ten, Charmettes, Inc. of Hillsborough County, Fantastic Unique Natives (FUN) Red Haters, Brandon Christian Women Ministry and Brandon Hospital Health to You. She was employed with Colony Shop for a short time, later becoming employed with Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Head Start Program. She taught early education and retired after thirty years of service. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, dressing, reading and sewing, but most of all she loved to gather with her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Grady E. Ferrell, Sr.; mother, Gussie Ferrell Patten; brother, Grady E. Ferrell, Jr. and sister, Martha F. Lara. She leaves to cherish her memories with her devoted husband, Willie Harris, Sr.; children, Paula George (Willie, Sr.), Tyrone and Pamela Ferrell, Debra Bliss (Michael, Sr.), Daphyne Daniels, (Keith, I), Willie Harris, Jr. (Shelia), Linda Williams, Felicia Prather (James), Sabrina Bell (Paul) and adopted daughter, Belinda Sessions; grandchildren, Kory (Kelly), Caleb, Chinua and Willie George, Jr. (Tonya), Tia and Natasha Osterbur, Jerome Ferrell (Elizabeth), Elizabeth Figueroa, Aaron (Kisha) and Bryson Porter, Michael, Jr. (Latoya) and Nakeshia Bliss, Keith Daniels II, Amard, Cedric, Maurice and Chanae Harris (Kevin), Charmaine Lawson; great-grandchildren, Harrison, Ethan, Amani, Zemia, Terrance, Isabel, Jayden, Laila, Bryson, Jr., Maximus, Michael III, Joey, Adrianna and Armoe; sisters-in-laws, Ruby Williams, Verdell Vickers and JoAnn Harris; nieces, Lecinda and Jolynn Harris, Sandra and Toni Rosson, Cynthia Suttle, Cheryl and Darlene Vickers, LaTasha Rosemond (Larry), Michelle Haynes, Monica McNeil (Geno); nephews, Jose’ Lara (Melissa), Grady E. Ferrell, III (Sue), Floyd (Shelia), Tommy (Stephanie) and Trent (Janie) Terrance Harris, Michael and Ronald Rosson, Sr.; cousins, June White (Deloris) and Johnny Ferrell (Mildred); a host of special great nieces, great nephews and other sorrowing relatives; special neighbor and friend, Dorothy West; devoted friends, Alma Purify and Betty Gatlin; special thanks to First Baptist Church of College Hill, Deacon Albert Bell, Pastor Evan Burrows and Life Path Hospice at Tampa General Hospital. The visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of College Hill on Friday, June 21st from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Irene Elizabeth Ferrell Harris April 17 1936 June 10 2019 (age 83).
Death notice for the town of: Tampa, state: Florida