Lena M. Harris

Mrs. Lena M. Brown Harris, affectionately known as “GRANNY,” was born on March 10, 1933, to Ernest and Fannie Elizabeth Brown in Vicksburg, MS. She was the oldest of three siblings, Charles Ernest Brown, Christine Spicer, and Annie Mae Turner, all of whom preceded her in death.

Lena moved to Chicago, Il. at the age of 9 where she joined Liberty Baptist church. She graduated from Dunbar Trade School in 1953 where she majored in dressmaking and went on to become a Master Seamstress and where she could complete garments in hours from the pattern to the last stitch. While attending Dunbar, she met her friend of 76 years, Mrs. Celia Jackson Lloyd. 

On January 22nd, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Lester Henry Harris. From this union came five daughters, Deeba Abdul-Musawwir (Kareem), Patricia Harris-Dokes (Richard), Margaret Harris-Lawler, Baby Diane (who preceded her parents in death), and Celeste Henderson.

In 1960, after reading about new homes being built in the Morgan Park neighborhood, Lena requested her husband purchase a home for their growing family. He lovingly complied and the family moved into that home in December of that year.

That same year, Lester and Lena became entrepreneurs, owning and operating a Tastee-Freez located at 112 East 71st Street, Chicago, IL, 60619. She attended Mount Calvary Baptist Church located on 1259 W. 111th Street, Chicago, IL. where she became a member of the Rainbow Circle.

Lena later worked at the Chicago Tire Company in 1973 until she retired in 1993. In 1998 Lena started her own business, a livery service called L & H Transportation that was located at 115th and Racine. Through this company she was able to provide transportation services to the Morgan Park community and surrounding neighborhoods.

In 2002, Lena relocated from Chicago to Joliet, Illinois, where she joined New Canaanland Christian Church under the leadership of Pastor Lonnie E. Posley Sr. She enjoyed a warm and loving relationship with both Pastor Posley and First Lady Rhonda D. Posley. Mother Harris faithfully served as overseer of administering communion. She also served on the Mother Board, mentoring young women of the church, and providing outreach to members in need of support. 

In addition to her church work, Lena volunteered with Catholic Charities Grandparent Program, where she found great joy in spending time with children. Her dedication to service earned her numerous acknowledgments and awards over the years. 

Lena M. Brown Harris leaves to cherish her memory her loving daughters, ten grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren, seventeen great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and cherished friends. Her legacy of serving the Lord, love, strength and service will live on through all who were blessed to know her.

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