“To everything there is a season, and a
time to every purpose under the heaven”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“A Time To Be Born”
On January 3, 1952, God blessed the late Nancy Rose Hill Harris and John Harris, Sr. with a beautiful daughter, who they named Frances Jean Harris. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio and later raised by John Harris, Sr. and Willie Pearl Harris in Connecticut. Frances would always say, “The Good Lord had blessed her with two beautiful mothers”; a thought that she literally cherished till her last days.
“A Time To Take Flight”
With a finger of love, on Thursday, September 21, 2023, God called Frances from labor to reward. With family by her side, she was rescued from earthly suffering and placed into her eternal rest.
“A Time To Love”
Growing up with God being the head of the Harris household, the love of the Lord was more than evident within Frances. Her devotion to the church nurtured her natural ability to become a mentor, role model, mother and friend to anyone that she met. The love Frances had for singing and gospel music was inspired by the formation of the Harris Family Singers, which was formed by John and Pearl Harris.
Frances was blessed to have one son, Kentrell, whom she loved dearly. She was gifted with two grandchildren from his marriage to Marquell. She loved getting her granddaughter Ke’Maiya during the summer to spend time encouraging and guiding her to be proud of her heritage; use education to open doors of opportunity; and never quit. Her grandson, Kentrell, Jr. recently arrived to fill her heart with more love.
Frances had a supportive and giving relationship with her family. She enjoyed spending time with them. Alternating yearly, she traveled to Cleveland for Thanksgiving dinners; Connecticut and Florida for family celebrations. She also shared her summers with her nieces Madison, Ryliegh and Sirrah; supporting and encouraging their development.
“A Time To Plant”
After her formative years of study, Frances received her B.A. Degree in Elementary Education from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Later, she received an M.S. Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from Buffalo State College. While attending Shaw University, she was “Miss Ivy”, “Miss Junior Class Queen” and second Runner-up to “Miss Shaw University”.
Frances retired from the Buffalo Board of Education after working thirty years as a teacher. She enjoyed touching and inspiring the lives of young people. She taught at various schools, but over twenty years was at School #53. There she spearheaded many school activities such as “Father’s Night Out”; a Thanksgiving Feast; talent shows and many others. Additionally, Frances enjoyed teaching Home Instruction, Summer School and the After-School Programs. During her teaching career, she was a member of the Buffalo Teacher Federation, National Education Association and Phi Delta Kappa. Frances enjoyed traveling, and she did so as frequently as possible. Traveling with her friends was a retirement perk.
“A Time To Serve”
In all that Frances did, she believed “All things work together for the good” and her faith embodied her true character of giving of service to mankind. She embraced her favorite scripture, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me!”
St. John Baptist Church has been her home church for about forty years, starting with Rev. Bennet W. Smith and now Overseer Michael Chapman. She used her gifts and talents in music to serve as a former Supervisor of the Youth and Adult Choir; the vice-president and president of the United Mass Choir; spearhead the “Children with Talent” Programs; and start the Praise Dancers, under the direction of the late Yvonne Brown. Recently she was a member of the Christian Board of Education, Usher Board #2 and Missionary Ministry.
Until her passing, Frances was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Omega Chapter. This year she received recognition for fifty years of service, making her a “Golden” Life Member. As a member, Frances chaired and participated in various projects and programs at the local and regional levels.
She had opportunities to touch the lives of young people with the Debutante and Rites of Passage Program, Emerging Young Leaders and Gamma Girls and Family Strengthening.
Community services included volunteering with the re-election of President Obama and Mayor Brown. She sang with the Varson Community and City-Wide Revival Choirs. She performed plays at the African Culture Center and was the Program Chairperson for American Baptist Women’s Ministries- Erie and Niagara Falls/ Buffalo Chapter.
Her commitment to service earned her several awards. They include the “Apple for the Teacher Award”; Channel 2—“Teacher of the Week Award”; the UPOP Ministries, Inc—“Touching the World” honoree for National Women History Month; listed in the Who’s Who Among American’s
Teachers; and a Wm. H. Davis Usher award.
Frances tirelessly devoted her love, time and patience to family, friends and children of all races. In the song Ordinary People, the words say that “God uses people that give their all, no matter how small your all may be to you. Little becomes much, when you place it in the Master’s hands”.
“A Time To Mourn”
Frances leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life, her beloved Son, Kentrell Charles Harris Sr., Daughter-in-Love Marquell Harris, Granddaughter Ke’Maiya and Grandson Kentrell “KJ” Jr.; Sisters, Arlisa Harris, Patricia Morgan (Carl) and Nicole Harris (Anthony); Aunts, Maude Hill and Hulda Brooks; and a host of loving God-children, nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends. Thank you to close family and friends who were there to laugh, cry and comfort Frances and our family till the very end. Frances journey now continues with those who have gone before her.
A Musical Celebration of Life will be held Friday, October 6, 2023, 6 PM at St. John Baptist Church, 184 Goodell Street, Buffalo, New York 14204, where family will receive friends on October 7, 2023, 10 AM. Funeral Service to follow at 11 AM. Entombment Serenity Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Cemetery.
