Mary Ann Harris

Mary Ann Harris was born on June 6, 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to James and Bessie Kennedy. She and her family moved to Madison, IL in 1964 when she was 13 years old. She went to Madison Jr. High where she met one of her lifetime friends, Carolyn Byrd. She then went to East Saint Louis High School where she graduated from in 1968.

She loved to listen to music and dance; in fact, she met her soon to be husband, Tommie, at a party. She moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado for a year, then back to East St. Louis after realizing she was with child. She got married to Tommie Lee Harris III in 1969. God gave her two children, Mario Q. Harris and Ardonnya Denene Harris. She moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 1974 where she found Christ and chose to live a life dedicated to serving God. Realizing how much she missed her family she moved back to the Illinois area. She wanted to get involved with the school system and decided to work at some community colleges. She did prison ministry all around the area. She spoke the gospel to the youth and adults that were incarcerated. Many people felt wary of this for her safety, but she knew God would protect her at all times. One things for sure, two things for certain was the love she had for her mother. It took sickness then death to keep her from being by her mother's side. It almost seems like they wanted to take that final journey together. Mary Ann told her mother, “Mommy, everything will be alright. I love you Mommy! We're in God's hands.”

Mary Ann passed away on May 28, 2023 and her mother passed away on June 5, 2023. Mary Ann was an angel in human form on earth and now she's one in heaven.

She was preceded in death by grandfather, George Bing, grandmother, Rose Edna Green, father, James L. Kennedy, mother, Bessie Mae Kennedy, sisters, Janet Davis and Debra J. Kennedy, and daughter, Ardonnya D. Harris. Survivors left to cherish her memory include her son, Mario Q. Harris; grandchildren, Akil Q. Harris, Ardenae Harris, Dezuree Harris, Grace Harris, Ameer Harris and Jonaton Harris; great-grandchildren, Aliyo, Amara, Armani, Erykah, Ari, King, Prince, Messiah and Deondre Harris; siblings, Edna (Bill) Jeffries, Carl (Agnes) Kennedy, Melvin (Gala) Kennedy and Sandra (Phillip) Walker and close friend, Tommie Lee Harris Jr.

A memorial service, to celebrate the life of Mary Ann, will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm at The Clinic Deliverance and Worship Center, 10192 Halls Ferry Rd., St. Louis, MO 63136.

A graveside service will be held Monday, June 26, 2023 at 2:00 pm in Lake View Memorial Gardens, 5000 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, IL 62208.