Vanessa Marcelle Harris

Vanessa Marcelle Harris was born on October 7, 1967, in Augusta, Georgia, was the only child of the late Virginia McGowen Harris and William Harris. Her formal education began in Augusta, where her parents instilled in her a disciplined approach to learning and a strong drive to achieve, qualities Vanessa demonstrated throughout her life. When her mother's employer, Georgia-Pacific, Inc, relocated the family to Atlanta, Vanessa completed her high school and college education at North Springs High School and Morris Brown College, respectively. While at Morris Brown College, she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, an organization she cherished. Vanessa served for one year as a Gamma Zeta Chapter President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated at Morris Brown College. After graduating from Morris Brown College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, she attended The University of Michigan's Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Her coursework and research helped shape a career devoted to important work in healthcare and public health.

After several years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vanessa joined Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). She demonstrated exceptional professionalism, dedication, and leadership throughout her 20-year career at CHOA, growing from Case Management into the role of IS Project Manager. She was known for her collaboration and commitment to excellence. She built strong relationships, supported those around her, and made a meaningful difference across the organization.

Becoming a mother to her only child, Alexis Yvonne Harris, in 2003, brought Vanessa immeasurable love, joy, and excitement. She was intentional about giving Alexis a life filled with quality time, meaningful experiences, a strong education, and opportunities to discover and appreciate different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. Above all she wanted her daughter to know how deeply she was loved and to have every opportunity to build a beautiful, fulfilling life.

Vanessa possessed diverse interests. Throughout her life, she was a voracious reader who assembled an incredible book collection. She valued listening to diverse views and perspectives on issues and, in doing so, always offered an informed and measured viewpoint. Vanessa was poised and diplomatic, exuding a gentle strength while remaining sensitive to the well-being of others. She was known for her unwavering kindness, her willingness to help others, and her strong work ethic.

Vanessa had amazing culinary skills and delighted in preparing tasty meals for guests. She was also a repository of great recipes, effortlessly providing instructions on the best ways to prepare countless dishes. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family, sorority sisters, and friends. Beach vacations were among her favorite destinations. Vanessa had an ear for music, with jazz, reggae, and spiritual songs among her favorites.

Vanessa will be dearly missed by her family, friends, sorority sisters, and business associates, and especially her cousins, with whom she shared great affection and memorable times. Above all, Vanessa's memory will be cherished by her only child, Alexis Yvonne Harris, who will forever remember her as a beautiful, loving and devoted mother.

The family kindly asks that donations be made to the Lupus Foundation of America in honor of Vanessa Marcelle Harris. Your gift will help support lupus research, education, support, and efforts towards finding better treatments and a cure.