- Date Of Birth: May 23, 1921
- Date Of Death: September 11, 2018
- State: Maryland
“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.”
Ecclesiastes 7:1
Thelma Bledsoe Harris, age 97, peacefully stepped into eternity, at her home, on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2018. Thelma was born on May 23, 1921, in Milan, Tennessee, to the late Curtis Bledsoe and Mary Hattie Hale Bledsoe.
In her early teen years, the family moved from Tennessee to Maryland. As a young woman, Thelma worked in Bethesda, MD, and later came back to “the Eastern Shore of MD”, to join her family. She worked most of her life as a domestic worker and after retiring, did private duty work for local families in the Queen Anne and Caroline County areas.
The most awesome thing about Thelma moving to Maryland was that she met and married her husband, Walter “Pete” Harris on April 10, 1944. Together they attended Allen’s A.M.E. Church where she was a faithful member and the youth choir director. Thelma was always involved in church and from a young child was shown and required to attend church and to know and serve her God. With her parents being a strong religious models, her spiritual roots ran deep.
Later when she and her husband became members at Bell’s Chapel A.M.E. Church, Thelma was President of Bell’s Chapel Ushers’ Board for well over 25 years. She definitely let her light shine as she stood as a door keeper. As a member of Bell’s Chapel A.M.E. Church for over 45 years, she wore many hats and enjoyed the fellowship and love of all the members. She was a long time member of the Daisy A. Lake Missionary Society, Bell’s Chapel Senior Choir, and the Stewardess Board. But her passion was with the ushers. Thelma is a past member of Myra Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star (P.H.A.), Fellowship Chapter 58 OES, Denton, MD. Because of failing health, regretfully, she was unable to fulfill and participate in church and community activities. But the love of all these things stayed in her heart.
Thelma always enjoyed canning, doing needle point, quilting, doing word finds and watching her game shows. She read her Bible faithfully, recited scriptures and always talked about her God and His goodness. She enjoyed gardening and would spend countless hours doing yard work.
Thelma’s devotion to family was important as she always helped and or raised some of her grandchildren and great grands. Her home was never empty. Her heart was always loving and caring and her hands were always outstretched to help. She spent her life always giving, never expecting anything in return! Everyone loved Thelma: her kindness, helpfulness and down-to-earth ways and her sense of humor were some of her most valuable assets.
Thelma’s beloved husband, “Pete” passed in 2009, and two of her children preceded her in death: Thelma Ree Harris and Joyce “Ann” Baynard. All of her siblings preceded her in death: Audra Mae Bledsoe, Virgie Lee Williams, Idona Scofield, Lillian Mae Bledsoe, Josephine Flamer, Mildred Rhodes, William James Bledsoe and Laverne Bledsoe.
Our humble servant of God leaves to celebrate her legacy and mourn her passing: two daughters Kathleen “Kathi” Harris-Fletcher and Christine Stitt; seven grandchildren: Eldridge Baynard, Troy Baynard, Kenya Harris (Jennifer), Garon Fletcher, Danielle Stitt, Chaundra Stitt, Margaret Ponder; ten great grandchildren: Latroyia Holmes, Deveron Baynard, Kaila Ashwood, JaRon Fletcher, Jasmone’t Fletcher, Kaiya Harris, Kenya (“KJ”) Harris Jr., Da’Shauan Stitt, Quantae Stitt and Bryson Stitt; and two great great grandchildren: Kalia James and Khloe James.
Her special nieces who loved her to the moon and back and cherish her memory: Treena Bledsoe- Ringgold, Etoria Henry, Jaunita Keyes, Betty Ricketts, Shirley Bordley, Margaret “Peggy” Wilson, Mickey Wilson, Jackie Truitt, Ella (Bee Bee) Congo and Phyllis Higgins. And Mr. James Bowser, her special, beloved and caring friend. And a host of other relatives and friends.
