Annie Irene Harris

2 Timothy 4:7- King James Version (KJV 1900

“7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the fight”

In the most wonderful and colorful year of 1938 blossomed a beautiful “flower child” daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin, neighbor, civic worker, friend, confidant and phenomenal woman.

Annie Irene Beard Harris was born on November 23, 1938, in Philadelphia, PA, the City of Brotherly Love to the late Leighton Beard, Sr, and the late Rev. Dr. Annie Elizabeth Beard. She and her sibling, Leighton Beard Jr. were raised in a God Fearing Christian home and family.

In her early life, Annie Irene received her education in the Public Schools of Philadelphia, PA, attending George W. Charles Elementary School, Barrett Jr High, and then Overbrook High School, with the late Wilt Chamberlain former basketball great at the same time. After graduating, she worked at the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. In the summers, Atlanta City. New Jersey was a place of work and wholesome fun with her cousins and family friends. However, nothing was more pleasurable than traveling down south to visit her grandparents in Windsor, NC for the summers for the Norman & Candie Hoggard & Wilson Family Reunions & Homecoming that were held for 50 years, of which she attended faithfully. Annie Irene was faithful in her church life Shilon Temple COGIC, and she later moved on to Holy Temple in Philadelphia, PA, where she served many auxiliaries and choirs. The greatest accomplishments of her life was the birth of her three awesome Divine boys; Gregory Tyrone, Bishop Ingo Arnez, and Christopher Lorenzo. She took immense joy in parenting, loving, and in raising them all together.

Later in life, Annie Irene relocated to Houston, Tx, where she started her career working for the City of Houston (Fire Department). It was in Houston where she met and married the love of her life, Jessie D. Harris. They were married for 44 wonderful years. They enjoyed their blended family as respectful, prayerful, and loving parents. They enjoyed many wonderful years of family and marriage that included traveling the world and enjoying each other in their Richmond, Texas home. JD attended the Church of Christ, while Irene remained a faithful member of the Empowerment Center in Katy, Tx. after her tenure at Williams Temple COGIC. Annie Irene and JD both retired from the City of Houston after long and distinguished careers. Upon moving to Richmond, Tx, Annie Irene was part of many Civic groups and organizations of which she and “Mother Beard” enjoyed being associated. “Rainie” as she was affectionate called, had a greeting and smile that would always lift up the atmosphere.

JD and Jesus were the center of her joy. She was indeed a walking miracle. She beat the odds; she believed God unconditionally and would say “By his strips, I am Healed.” Some people leave an inheritance when they pass, others a legacy. In Rainie’s case, she left us both! Peace Be Still.

She leaves to rejoice in her memory, Her wonderful loving Husband Jessie D. Harris, her children; Gregory Tyrone Beard (TaSandra), Bishop Ingo A Beard, Christopher Lorenzo Howell (Devona), Jessie D. Harris lll, Rodney Harris, Veronica F. Williams (Timothy), and Rickey Harris (Shelby), her brother Leighton Beard Jr. her grandchildren, Khristopher, Kori,Tiaja, Tiara, Devon (Nay(, Chris Jr. (deceased), Brandon, Krystoya, Leighton, Anthony, Kaadijah, Derrick, Justin, Chris, and Ashley, and 28 great grandchildren. She also leaves a host of family and friends who loved her dearly.