Joe Bessie Harris

Joe Bessie Harris was born August 29, 1934 in Louis, Mississippi, the ninth child born to Julius and Erie (nee Barlow) Holder.  She was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 16, 2021 with her loving family by her side.

Joe Bessie received her education from Bay Springs Vocational School in Bay Springs, MS.  She accepted Christ at an early age at Galilee Church in Louin, MS. She later relocated to Chicago, Illinois and attended Mount Gilead M.B. Church under the leadership of Pastor J. Wright where she was a faithful doorkeeper. She later moved to the Lockport-Joliet area where she became a faithful member of Shiloh M.B. Church under the leadership of the late Pastor J.W. Walton as a faithful doorkeeper. Joe Bessie continued her ministry of doorkeeper at Shiloh under the leadership of Pastor Richard D. House until her health began to decline.  During her stay in the Joliet-Lockport area, she was a member of the Silver & Gold Club of Lockport, member of the Lebanon District Ushers and all area Day Care Provider.

Joe Bessie was preceded in death by her loving parents, Julius and Erie B. Holder; brothers, Levi, Jessie, Julius Jr. and Sampson Holder; sisters, Hettie Mae Jefferson, Virgie Holder, Minnie Walter Bolton, Katie Gavin and Clara Pigee-Stamps.

She leaves to cherish precious memories to her daughters, Danganetta Harris, Angela (Demetrius) Saunders, Ebony Hill, Fantasia (James) Gentry and Osha Bew; grandchildren, Wilexus and Willie Love, Demetrius, Scott, D’Mitria, Summer Sky, Malachi and Angel Saunders, Cleveland and Cordae Grimes and Bentley Duncan; one sister, Cassie Mae McMillian; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins; family and friends.  She is also survived by her special nephews, Tracy O’Large and Eric Holder; special niece, Rachel Weddington; special friend, Elizabeth Willis.

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