Obituary of Johnnie B Harris

She was born February 4, 1928 in Swainsboro, GA to the late Joseph Watson, Sol and Mary Lizzie Brown Harris. She passed peacefully in the arms of Johnnifer Harris, her loving daughter and bestie on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at their home in Levittown, PA. Her childhood nickname of “Li’l Sista” carried over to her siblings and cousins even though she was the eldest. She was Aunt Johnnie to her nieces and nephews and even some of her cousins. She is leaving us now as the matriarch of the family. At an early age, Johnnie was baptized and became a member of St. James Baptist Church under the pastorship of Rev. Connors in Swainsboro, GA. She graduated from Swainsboro High School and continued her education in business school in Atlanta, GA. In later years, she briefly attended nursing school in Philadelphia, PA to become a CNA. She was married to Lawrence Lee Harris and to this union there were 8 children, Lawrencine, Johnnifer, Robert, Victor, Victoria, Zelda, Zachary, and Tom. She was a devoted mother to her children and grandchildren. Johnnie wore many hats well throughout her life. She is well known for her unlimited wealth of patience and ready ear for anyone with a troubled soul. Through the years she has played an increasingly influential role as mother, grandmother, aunt, leader, and mentor to many who have reached out to her. Her love of children led her to become a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop Leader and a Teacher’s Aide for the Head Start Program for years. She started serving a federally funded Breakfast and Lunch Program for the children of Bloomsdale-Fleetwing Estates in Levittown, PA out of her home until a facility became available and was affectionately known as “Mrs. Harris, the Lunch Lady”. She was the babysitter to many and “Mommy” to all. She served at the voting polls in Bristol Township Ward 5-3 as Minority Inspector for over 25 years. She was a volunteer at the Bristol Township Senior Center; she has served on the Bloomsdale-Fleetwing Estates Hospitality Committee as Treasurer and at one time was Secretary for the Bloomsdale-Fleetwing Estates Improvement Association. She was a member of the Eastern Star and was a Fully Paid Life Member of the NAACP Bucks County Branch. She was a recognized community leader and honors were bestowed. She loved to sing and studied voice in NYC. She had a beautiful voice and one of her favorite songs was Ave Maria, which she sang in high school and continued to sing it to her grandchildren. She went from opera to gospel to scat to R&B and a few of her favorite artists being Al Green, Jerry Butler and as we all know Luther Vandross. Through her last speaking days, she sang and chuckled about “I’ll See You Over The Moon” as she anticipated her graduation. She loved to read, was an avid bowler and enjoyed doing crafts. She was a fashionista from head to toe and affectionately known as the original “Miss Priss”. When you fixed her plate, the food had to be hot, or she would send it back to be reheated. Spoiled since she was on this earth. She expected everyone home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Famous Quotes “You can get old if you wanna”, “God Knows”, “Whatever”, “It is not what you say but how you say what you say”. She was prim and proper and did not curse so it was hilarious when she said, “Dammit to H”. She was a confidante, trusted friend, and counselor with a genuine listening ear. Everyone knew their hearts’ concerns were safe with her, never to be repeated. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Watson, Sol and Mary Lizzie Brown Harris; her husband Lawrence Harris; her twin grandchildren Michael and Michayla Harris; her brothers a newborn, Tommy Harris, Sol Harris Jr and Joseph Clifford Watson; sisters Ada Young and Lynette Still. She leaves to cherish her memory and continue the legacy 4 daughters Lawrencine Harris (Whitehall, PA), Johnnifer Harris and Victoria Harris (Levittown, PA) and Zelda Lockhart (Larry) (Swainsboro, GA); 4 sons Robert Harris (Cherry Hill, NJ), Victor Harris (Coatesville, PA), Zachary Harris (Kevina) (New Castle, DE) and T. Xavier C. Harris (Whitehall, PA); 14 grandchildren Anthony Stills, Serrita Harris, Omar Harris, Robert Harris, Jr., Tinyhra Harris, Cameron Harris, Caleb Harris, Camille Harris, Carrington Harris, Joshua Witherspoon, Zachary Harris, Jr, Tina Valentine, Zante’ Harris and Zoe Harris ; 18 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild; 2 sisters Dorothy Barco and Mary Reves (Plainfield, NJ); 2 brothers Clinton Harris (Frances) (Bear, DE) and Lynn Harris (Thomasena) (Bridgeton, NJ); 2 sister in-laws Jackie Harris (Sol Harris Jr) (Mt. Laurel, NJ) and Carol Harris (Tommy Harris) (Williamstown, NJ) along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends." Sorrowfully submitted, The Family