Willie Mae Harris' Obituary
Willie Mae Harris, 92, was born on February 18, 1933, in Tallahassee, Florida to Bessie and Isaac Roberts. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida and had been involved in church activities since she was a young child. In 1962,
Willie Mae moved to Los Angeles, California with her three daughters, Angela, Venita and Claretha.
Willie Mae worked for Mattei, Inc. and for Los Angeles City Schools as a cafeteria manager until her retirement. She enjoyed traveling, as she visited multiple countries including Germany, Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada, etc. Willie Mae visited all but two states in the United States and has been on numerous cruises. When she wasn't traveling abroad, Willie Mae could be found crocheting blankets, assembling puzzles, baking cakes or traveling by bus to a casino with friends from the Carson Community Center or the Senior Citizen Center on Jarvis Avenue. She made and sold wedding cakes and dabbled in jewelry making as well. She was very talented and accomplished anything she put her mind to.
Willie Mae was a longtime member of Greater Faith Temple Church and Mt. Tabor Community Missionary Baptist Church, where she religiously attended services on Sunday and served as an usher and mother of the church. She loved the Lord, her family and her friends.
Willie Mae is survived by her brother, Isaac Roberts, Jr.; her children, Angela (Michael) Haley and Claretha (Kenneth) Leavell; her grandchildren, Lamont (Rose) Prudhomme, Jerry (Katie) Ranson, James (Quida) Ranson, Michael Haley, Jr., Kenneth (Amanda) Leavell, Jr., Ebonisha Davis and Ashley (Evan) Beebe; 12 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Willie Mae is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Odessa Risper, Michael Roberts and Sandy Lamb; her daughter, Venita Ranson and her great-granddaughter, Jashelle Ranson. Willie Mae Harris will truly be missed. Her love for the Lord, travel and crocheting lives on in her family.
What’s your fondest memory of Willie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Willie?
Share a story where Willie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Willie you’ll never forget.
How did Willie make you smile?