Etta Mae Harris

The sun rose on Mrs. Etta Mae Harris on April 12, 1933. She was the second child born to Mrs. Bessie Allen Williams and Mr. Robert Williams in Lewisville, Arkansas. Ms. Etta, as she was affectionately known, attended Southend elementary school and Dunbar High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

After graduating she moved to Flint, Michigan and worked there for several years. She returned home and worked several jobs until she secured a position at Teletype that later merged with AT&T. She worked there for 21 years and 10 months before retiring. She took her job very seriously and made sure everything was done well and in order.

She was an avid church member and joined church at a very early age. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and faithfully committed her life to serving Him each and every day. She was a member for many years under the leadership of Pastor W.W. Walker at First Baptist Church Highland Park in Little Rock, AR. She served on the Usher Board and was a member of the Senior Choir.

In 2008, Mother Harris helped arrange, organize, and was one of the forerunners of what is known today as Covenant Kingdom Ministries in Little Rock, AR. She served on several committees at Covenant Kingdom such as Mission Leader-Trustee, Historian/Secretary, Finance Committee, Mother’s Board and taught Sunday School. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, shopping and spending time with her family until her health began to fail.

She was united in holy matrimony with Mr. Benjamin Harris. She raised one son and three daughters and they meant the world to her. Mother Harris was a quiet lady with a gentle spirit. She was very family oriented and loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other people’ unconditionally. She was a very proud mother of all her children; however, she was exceptionally proud of her son, Mr. E. Lynn Harris, the author of ten number one best-selling novels.

Though of a gentle spirit, Mother Harris’ life was a testimony and an example for her children, family members, and many others.

Mother Harris was preceded in death by mother, Mrs. Bessie A. Harvey, father, Mr. Robert Williams, stepfather, Mr. Andrew Harvey, son, E. Lynn Harris, brothers, James A. Williams and TeRoy Gaines, Jr. and grandson, LaMark McAdoo.

Mother Harris was called home on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She leaves to cherish her memories, daughters: Anita Nelson, Zettoria McDaniel, Jan Ogbulafor all of Little Rock, Arkansas; brother: Arthur Gaines of Little Rock, Arkansas, and sister, Jessie Phillips of Atlanta, Georgia; 6 grandchildren Corey Obi, Roshaunda Franks (James), Tony Nelson, Sr., Whitney Harris, Jasmine Atkinson (DeShaun) and Makell Nelson, 22 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Adopted daughters Mrs. Pankye Fells, Ms. Clora Williams, Ms. Wanda McAdoo and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2025 at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home. Visitation will be the evening prior, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the funeral home.