Cynthia S Harris

Cynthia Evelyn Sammons Harris, 91, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2019 in Desoto, Texas (near Dallas). She was born on April 17, 1928 in Chester, Pennsylvania to Albert Sr. and Alice [Henry] Sammons. Cynthia married her beloved husband Roderick B. Harris in 1950 and was happily married for 60 years. They raised two children, Roderick and Carita.

Cynthia graduated from Chester High School in 1946. After high school she attended college at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. To complete her Bachelor's (1975) and Master's degrees in Education, she attended Cheyney University in Cheyney, PA. Cynthia was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education, and Alpha Phi Sigma, Xi Chapter, a National Honor Society.

After teaching at Franklin Elementary School in Chester Township, PA she was employed by Elwyn, Inc. as a counselor, teacher and vocational education coordinator for most of her career. While at Elwyn, she coordinated the graduations at Elwyn's Davidson School and consistently volunteered for and attended Elwyn's various fundraisers (the golf tournaments and Elwyn Day, in particular). She retired in 1996. She also served a term as a board member of the Penn State Cooperative Extension in Media, PA.

Cynthia was a member of St. Daniel's United Methodist Church, Chester, PA, Class #12 and served in the Food Pantry Ministry. Cynthia loved socializing with friends and family. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and she was a fine dancer and could do the “Bop” and fancy ballroom dances. Cynthia had a special talent for making people comfortable and filling in wherever she thought her help was needed. Most of all, Cynthia loved to travel whether it was to the nearest department store (she was a fashionista as demonstrated by her show of jewelry and extensive wardrobe),to Henry Family gatherings and reunions, or to foreign continents of Africa, Europe, Asia, or the Americas (with photo journals to prove it).

When her daughter Carita with husband David moved from Chester, PA to Dallas, TX in 2016, Cynthia decided to make an extended visit there to spend more time with her large Texas family. Cynthia’s niece, Kris (Wyzetta Ross Covington) from VA, would visit her in Texas every 2-3 months. Over the years, Kris, Karan and Reggie would shower her with unique gifts including butterfly themed items (her favorite) and candy. Gregg and Juanita Sammons made visits and sent birthday bouquets. Other special visitors included Eric Bobo one of her family “road buddies”, and Eryn Covington with Eryn, Jr.. Once her illness prevented her from “getting out-and-about” she received private personal care from A- Victorian’s Place and the professional medical services of New Dawn Health and Hospice, Inc. in Desoto, TX.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Alice Sammons Sr.; her siblings: brothers Albert Sammons, Jr.; William Wendell Sammons, Sr.; Curtis Henry Sammons and Theodore Sammons, Sr.; sister Wyzetta [Sammons] Ross; infant brother Reginald Sammons; and her husband Roderick Badger Harris.

Cynthia leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted children, son Roderick Harris of Chester, PA and daughter Carita (David) Morgan of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Rod Williams, Ciara Williams and Tiras Williams of Chester; David Morgan III of New Orleans, LA and Carl (Kristen) Morgan of Forney, TX. Great-grandchildren include Daelon Morgan, Daeven Morgan and David Morgan IV of CT; Carl Morgan Jr., Brandon Morgan, Zane Morgan, James Morgan, Jaxon Morgan, Gianna Morgan and Layla Morgan of TX; sister-in-law Rassie Sammons; nieces and nephews Karan (Cliff) Crawford, Reginald Ross, Wyzetta [Kris] (Eric) Covington, William Sammons, Jr., Sheila Reaves, Neta (Robert) Marshall, Faye Sammons, Wendell (Angela) Sammons, Gregg (Juanita) Sammons, Sharon (Michael) Dixon, Roy Gilmore, Paula Sammons, Anita Sammons, Danita Sammons, Angela Daniel Stage and Annette Pagano. She is also survived by her cousins Jean Roach of MD, Valaida Henry of PA and Jean Locke of PA; special friends Jeraldine Camper of DE, Joscelyn Vaughters of PA, Doris Scott Williams of PA, Rev. Leon and Evelyn Frisby of PA, Larry Tollen of PA and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Cynthia to the Chester Education Foundation, 419 Avenue of the States, Suite 700, Chester, PA 19013.