Thelma Harris

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 24, 2009

NATCHEZ — Services for Thelma Wood Harris, 91, of Natchez, who died Friday, July 17, 2009, at her residence, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Jefferson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. Anthony Colenburg officiating.
Burial will follow at Milford Baptist Church under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from noon to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home with Masonic and Eastern Star rites at 7 p.m.
Mrs. Harris was born Aug. 20, 1917, in Jefferson County, the daughter of Charlie Duncan Wood and Amanda Fitzgerald Wood. She was a member of Jefferson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she served as president of the Stewardess Board, director and chairperson of the Missionary Society, choir member and was named deaconess of the church in 2005. She was also a member of the Edna Anderson Chapter No. 11 OES; served as first Worthy Matron and was past Grand Matron, Adah Grand Chapter; received her past Supreme Grand Matron honors in 2006; served as a mentor to many sisters in Edna Anderson Chapter No. 11 OES with her wisdom and knowledge. She was also a Good Samaritan and member of MBPFB Society and a volunteer leader of the Sedgefield 4-H Club for 65 years.
Mrs. Harris was a nurse, seamstress and sales clerk for George’s department store.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert Harris; and seven siblings, Henrietta W. Hunt, Hattie B. Woods, Celia W. Davis, Charlie Jake Woods, Willie B. Nolan, Alan Rogers and James T. Woods Sr.; and nephew, Albert “Skacy” Woods.
Survivors include a devoted niece, Lavera Rankin and husband, Franklin; three sisters, Julia W. Henry and Lena Daffebough, both of Natchez, and Edna Johnson and husband, Robert, of Memphis, Tenn.; two brothers, Spencer Sylvester and wife, Florida, and Ernest Wood, all of Natchez; a devoted sister-in-law, Pearlene Woods; one godchild, Gladys Foster Jackson, both of Rockhill, S.C.; a number of nieces, nephews, other extended family that she raised with counseling and guidance, words of wisdom and support. She was known as “Nan-Nan” to all her children whose lives she touched; she was the mother of the family, and for all, with much dedication.
Pallbearers will be Charlie H. Woods, Jeffery A. Woods, Terry Woods, James T. Woods Jr., Cleotha Woods, Cliff Woods, Roy M. Woods, Leonard Woods Sr. and Gary D. Rankin.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jerome Marshall, Marvin Marshall, Gregory Marshall, Watai Tyehimba, Anthony Bryant, Charles “Skoonie” Woods, Franklin Rankin and Marshall Conner.