Zanitta Harris-Torres

Born, and lived in Detroit, MI, for approximately three years. For the most part, Zee lived and was educated on three continents, mostly in Europe. Her initial journey began in the Florida Pan Handle, then to the far east where she lived for about two and a half years in Taiwan. Her travels also included several continents, numerous island nations, and a trip through the Panama Canal. Conservatively, she travelled to 31 US states, as well. Her European travels allowed her to visit, eat and actually relive events such as dancing on the same Gazebo bench used in the movie, Sound of Music. She oftenspoke about visiting the Von Tramp home, the monastery and other locations where the movie was made in Austria, and boating along the underground Salt Mine River in Bavaria. Visiting the Schloss Neuschwanstein in Southern Bavarian, which inspired Walt Disney to create Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.

Above all, we believe she was inspired by being able to taste and enjoy the authentic cuisines of each country and region she visited around the world. She graduated high school in Wiesbaden, GE. Her College career began with Howard University, back to Germany, and she completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Phoenix. She was selected for a scholarship with the AFOSISA to start her college career. In addition to her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, she completed all but three classes towards a Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering. Her “IT” skills were extremely beneficial to governmental operations at both the USAFA and the Fort Carson Medical Center. She also enhanced and uploaded photographs that provided a historical blueprint for Emanual Missionary Baptist Church.

Zee was the first grandchild born on both the Harris and Sanders sides of our families in decades. We truly believe Zee received her intellectual skills from her Grandfather, James Q. Harris, Jr. Both James Senior and Junior had mathematical, language and electronic skills that skipped a complete generation of Harris’. As a baby, she had the same pediatrician as her father. Being raised almost entirely in a military environment she was extremely comfortable around people of all ethnicities and able to easily fit into Asian and European residential communities. We believe she was born with and enhanced her family DNA abilities to create magic in a culinary setting. Her skills added to the rich heritage of cooks within the Harris, Potts and Sanders/Burriss families. Her skills were such that her daughter, Angela, has laid the groundwork for a career and degree in the culinary arts. Zee was even more comfortable and adept with computers, the software and hardware. She was able to update and repair any type computer remotely. Her father often said she was the follow-up to the Star Trek series that have dominated our entrainment world for more than five decades. Her computer skills were initially responsible for us to confirm the Harris Family Tree back to circa 1813.

Above all, her girls, Angela and Alexis, were the stars of her life. Nothing was more important to her! In an effort to ensure the very vest care for her youngest Daughter, Zee returned to school to earn her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. Zee has maintained her relationships with students and friends from her 3rd grade classes up to and including her high school graduation class. While in Wiesbaden, GE, in the early 80s, she was selected as the Fire Princess for Wiesbaden, GE. At a very early age while living in Taiwan, we had to fight with a monkey at the Sun Moon Lake Animal Park. The monkey pulled Zee into their area while pulling on her hair and biting her ear.

While we have a host of blood relatives there were very close to Zee and us, four truly awesome people have been beyond close to Zee and this household. Ms. Laterra McWilliams, Bill Gamble, and Ed & Geri Harrison, have been extremely close, caring and always available to Zee and us. They are among a group extremely revered by Zee and this segment of the Harris Family. Moreover, a highlight for the entire Colorado Harris family, was Mrs. Mary Linton, AKA: Nana, the Wife of her Paternal Grandfather, Ike Linton, both preceded Zee in death. Nana, was an extremely close member of this family as she was present when both Angela and Alexis were born. She is totally responsible for spoiling both girls beyond belief. She also taught both girls a few bad words and how important it was to protect each other.

Zanitta is survived by her Parents: Bernard & Margaret Harris; two Daughters: Angela E. & Alexis E. Torres; Her Brother & Sister-in-Law: Christopher & Tanya Harris; Her Maternal grandmother, Hattie Rhodes; Her Niece and Daughter: Kristina & Lilly Essen; three 1st Cousins in Michigan: Sherrill Thomas, Damien & Andre Jackson; Three 1st Cousins in SC: Reginald Morris, Cassandra & Denise McClendon. Her Aunts and Uncles include: Karen Jackson, Ronald & Keith Harris, as well as Carey Burriss, Jr and Sharon McClendon. She is also survived by a host of other relatives, military family members, and friends.