Flora Harris

Mother Flora Harris of Tampa passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021.  Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, April 3 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 11025 W. Palmetto Street with Rev. Anthony Greene, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Mother Flora Harris was a native of Port Tampa, Florida born to the late Mr. Irwin Harris, Sr. and Mrs. Marie Holmes.  She was a lifelong resident of Tampa and was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County. 

Mother Harris married at an early age and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens for over 60 years. She served in the following ministries during her 60 years at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens: Sang in # 1 Choir and The Stevenson Choir, The Mother’s Board, President of Deaconess Board, Active Mission member, Deaconess and assisted in church kitchen during 1970’s – 1980’s.  

Mother Harris worked at MacDill Air Force Base as a dishwasher; Orange Pharmacy as a short order cook; Floridian Hotel as a salad chef; Temple Terrace Downtown Tampa Hotel and Morrison Imperial House for 11 years as a sous-chef; University Community Hospital for 23 years (now Advent Health Hospital) and retired on March 11, 1995. 

After retirement, she got a dog named Rusty and worked as a school crossing guard for 2 years; studied for her Certified Nursing Assistance degree for 7 months and began a new career with Su Casa Nursing Home for about 5 years.

Mother Harris enjoyed gardening, her walks and going to Brandon YMCA for daily exercise with the Silver Sneakers Group. 

She was preceded in death by: father, Irwin Harris, Sr.; mother, Sister Marie Holmes Harris; her paternal grandparents, Mr. Will and Anna B Harris; her maternal grandparents, Henry and Carrie Anthony Elder; two sisters, Louvenia Florence and Eldora Williams; three brothers, Lerome Harris, Ervin Harris, Jr. and Noah Harris; son, Anthony Simons; and grandson, Derrick Everett, Jr.  

She leaves cherish her memory: five sons, Floyd Harris, Wilton Sr. (Katherine) Simons, Derrick Everett, Sr., and Ellis Sr. (Kizuwanda) Everett; two daughters, Florine Johnson, and Jacqueline Simons; grandchildren, Billie Harris, Alonzo Harris, Alfonso Harris, Delores Brooks, Wilton Jr. Simons, Dionne Ersery, Hasante Rashad, Marvin Simons, Alvin Simons, Milton Davis, Edwin Davis, Stacy Franklin, Nichole Simons, Brandi Simons, Brieana Simons, Anthony Simons Jr., Christopher Everett, Chantell Everett, Erika Everett, Derrick Jr. Everett, Dereka Everett, Ellis Jr. Everett, Tranika Everett, Terrance Everett, and Dakarai Everett; a host great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. 

The visitation will be held at First Baptist of Lincoln Gardens one hour prior to service time 10 am.  Due to COVID 19 restriction there will not be a repast.  We are asking family and friends to please follow the CDC guidelines. Masks are required. 

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