Daisy Mae Harmon

Daisy Mae Vital was welcomed into the world on December 8, 1930, as the fifth child of Dorsey and Eva Bertrand Vital in Welsh, Louisiana. She was blessed to be raised in a large, loving family consisting of three sisters: Lenora Prudhomme, Bertha Mae Kaough, and Lena Mae Lemelle, and five brothers: Adam L., Edmond, Wilmon, Willard, and Nolan Vital. Daisy, along with all of her siblings, was baptized at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Growing up and living on a farm, the Vital children enjoyed a happy childhood that included fun times with many cousins, as well as , eventually, attending Welsh Rosenwald Negro School in “town.” Daisy shared many stories about fun times with her favorite cousin, Rita Pierfax, spending weekends at Grandma (Cecelia Vital) and Uncle Amos and Aunt Cora, who owned a two-story home in town. The family, eventually moved from the farm, purchasing a home, “in town” at 1102 West Millard Street. While attending Welsh Rosenwald Negro School, Daisy was on the girls’ basketball team and enjoyed her educational experiences. Although she loved learning, due to family responsibilities, she completed only the 10th grade of her education, despite having only one more year to graduate. During this period, Negro schools in Louisiana had a short school session of six months and had only eleven grades. However, it was during her school days, that Daisy met and fell in love with her life partner, Hodges Ray “Bubba” Harmon. Hodges, in his many stories to his children, recalled that “she was the most beautiful girl that I had ever seen, and I knew that I was going to marry her.” After working various jobs, he convinced Dorsey and Eva Vital that he could take care of their daughter. With the blessings of both his parents, James and Lovenia Harmon and the Vitals, on June 26, 1948, Hodges and Daisy married at St Joseph Catholic Church, a union that spanned 73 years. They became the loving parents of three daughters, Shiela, Lynette & Daisette, and one son, Luther whom they proudly raised in the values of a Catholic Christian life and academic achievement. It was because of their inability to complete their educational dreams that Daisy and Hodges instilled the importance of education in their children, resulting in all of them and their grandchildren pursuing higher education degrees.

Daisy’s work experiences during the segregated south of the 1950s and 60s began as a domestic worker in the homes of various Welsh families. Dissatisfied in these positions, she applied and was hired as a Cook in the Dietary Department of the Welsh General Hospital and Nursing Home. Utilizing her culinary skills and love of baking, she helped provide healthy, delicious meals to hospital patients for over 20 years, retiring at the age of 63, in January 1994. However, retirement from Welsh General Hospital was not the end of her professional life. Known as a friendly, dedicated , and caring person and to remain active, Daisy spent the next 20 years as a caregiver to members of various families in Welsh and Thornwell. Additionally, as a lifelong, dedicated member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, she baked and sold peanut butter cookies and pralines, raising $300 for the purchase of the sacramental chalice, which continues to be used today by priests who have served at St. Joseph. As she daily attended mass, one of the priests, Fr. William Hogan, SSJ, teasingly referred to her as his assistant pastor, giving her keys to open the church for weekday morning masses. During her over 94 years as a member of St Joseph, Daisy participated in numerous ministries including the Church Choir, Ladies Auxiliary, Prayer groups, as well as attending local, state, and national Catholic conferences throughout the United States.

In addition to her professional life and caregiving gifts, Daisy was known for her sense of style and creativeness. She loved beautiful clothes and for a long period of her life, had a wardrobe of fancy hats. As her girls became teenagers, they became fashion divas as she knitted beautiful ponchos and sweaters of beautiful bold colors as well as taught them about fashion and style. She crocheted and was a quilter, presenting each of her children a handmade quilt upon graduating from high school. There was also a period when she took ceramic classes and made beautiful bowls, trays, and novelty items for the home. The Harmon household always reflected the beauty and creativity of our Mother.

Daisy, along with her husband, Hodges lived their lives to the fullest, enjoying fun times and vacations with family in Louisiana, Alabama, Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, New York City, and California. As their children moved throughout the country and they became grandparents, there were yearly visits to Atlanta, Washington, DC., and Houston. Over the years, they went to numerous Black historical sites and museums; met Black mayors, politicians and professional sports icons i.e., boxing champion, Jersey Joe Walcott; attended music concerts featuring Ray Charles and other artists ; and more importantly visiting family and friends. Since her love of life, Hodges, transitioned to heaven in June 2021, Daisy has enjoyed the presence of her children every month as well as often traveling to Atlanta for weddings, birthday celebrations, and the births of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Daisy Mae Vital Harmon transition to heaven represents the end of a generation as she was the last living child of the nine (9) children of Dorsey and Eva Vital. She earned her angel wings and was greeted at the gates of heaven by her heavenly father at 4:09 PM on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Harbor Hospice of Lake Charles. She is reunited with the love of her life, Hodges; her parents, Eva and Dorsey Vital; her eight siblings and their spouses-Adam (Eloshia), Edmond (Essie Mae), Wilmon (Cora Mae), Lenora (Haston), Bertha Mae (Willie), Willard, Lena Mae (Leo) and Nolan; her in-laws, James and Lovenia Harmon; Griffin Davis; brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Helen Harmon; daughter-in-law, Lavita Harmon; son-in-law, Lionel Batiste, Jr., and numerous Vital, Harmon, Bertrand, and Dugar ancestors.

Daisy Mae Vital Harmon leaves to carry on her legacy , a family of whom she will live forever in their hearts and memories. They include three daughters: Shiela Harmon Martin of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Lynette M. Batiste of Riverdale, Georgia; Daisette Harmon (Courtney) of New York City; and son, Luther Harmon (Angela) of Cypress, Texas. She was blessed with ten grandchildren: Lionel Rashid (Paula), Lyndon (Jessica), Lenneia (Jonathan), Shayla (Christopher), Leighton (Rachel), Takenza, Laurn, Ashley, Courtenay, & Niko: as well as twelve great-grandchildren-Kavah, Kellen, Lyndon Jr., Jackson, Lincoln, Ava, Aria, Jordan, Reese, Kenzo, Nayeem, and Ade. She also leaves to cherish her memories nieces and nephews: Lynda, Gerald (Chaquita), Donald, Terry (Lougracious), Harold (Vandell), Keith (Angela), Gabriella (David), Gabrielle, Tanika (Glenn), Mark (Miriam), Michelle, Torrie, Patrick (Mildred), and Christopher, Diana ( Abram) , Jacqueline, Eugene, Jr. and Shelly. Also, her special cousins, Audrey Mae Brown, Gloria Viney, Joyce Thomas, Clifton Bernard Vital , and a host of other relatives, friends ,and brothers and sisters in Christ, too numerous to mention.

Daisy’s life was truly a blessing reflecting the Goodness of God. He gave her a long, well-lived life and our gratitude overflows.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Hixson Funeral Home in Welsh. A Rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m. led by Clarence Prudhomme.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025 with Rev. Prabhakar Kowitiki officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Cemetery in Welsh.