Ms. Alfreda Ann Harris

HARRIS, Ms. Alfreda Ann - Age 68, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 12:00 PM Saturday, May 27, 2023, from Triumph Church Ebenezer Campus, 2130 S. Center Rd., with funeral service commencing at 1:00PM. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church at 12:00PM Saturday. Ms. Harris will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday with family present from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM to receive friends. Ms. Alfreda Ann Harris was born to Marie Brown and Edward Everett Harris Jr., on March 23, 1955, In Clarksdale, Mississippi. She completed her earthly works and transitioned to her heavenly home on May 17, 2023. Alfreda came to Flint with her family when she was 3 years old. She is a proud graduate of Beecher Community Schools, having attended grades K-12, graduating in 1973. After High School she attended Central Michigan University (CMU). Inquisitive about the world, she departed CMU and traveled to Southern California and enrolled at UCLA. She graduated from the University of California-Los Angeles with a B.A. in English and African American Studies. She attended Portland State University for training and development. Always glad to learn something new, Alfreda later enrolled in the Culinary Program at Mott Community College, following her passion for food and its preparation. She was also enrolled in the Master of Education program at the University of Michigan-Flint. World Traveler. Alfreda’s love for travel and adventure, led her to become a Peace Corps volunteer, where she spent five years in the Solomon Islands, working in Rural Area Community Education. Her time in the Peace Corps took her to many other places in the South Pacific, allowing her to travel to sixteen countries and places like New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Hawaii. Alfreda incorporated her many travels into her “Porch Stories.” Learning, Teaching and Making a Difference. Alfreda had an extensive love of books and a lifelong passion for learning. She had a myriad of jobs– from waitressing to fast food, to business marketing, and even the Postal Service. Alfreda was currently a Children’s Learning Specialist with the Flint Public Library (FPL) as well as a professional Storyteller. She was a member of the Society of Afrikan Amerikan Storytellers. She also served as a Crim Mindful Fellow with the Crim Foundation, and as a docent at the Flint Institute of Arts (FIA). She had a diverse background in education and the arts. She loved teaching, engaging and inspiring people to connect and to experience worlds beyond their neighborhoods. She was committed to sharing arts, culture, education, and possibilities that make the world a better place to live for everyone. Woman of Faith. Most importantly, Alfreda was a woman of Faith. She gave her life to Christ at an early age, attending her childhood church, Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. After her relocation and move back to Flint, she united with Ebenezer Ministries, under the leadership of Bishop Urundi Knox, she served faithfully on the Missionary Society until her health prevented her from attending services. Her compassion, concern, and desire to help others was a true testament of her faith and love for God.Alfreda leaves to cherish her precious memory: three brothers, Edward Darnell Harris I (Valerie), Edward Everett Harris III, and David Edward Harris Sr. (Sokom); two sisters, Debra Elaine Whitted (Curtis), and Debbie Lorraine Harris; nieces, LaNesha Tanner (David), Shonda Harris (Goddaughter), LaTina Whitted, and Eshonti Harris; nephews, Edward Darnell Harris II, DelTino Crain (Khalelia), Javohn Cayton (Kim), Jarrison Harris (Breana), Carl Edward Barnes, Jaylen Harris, Luke Harris, David Harris, Jr., and Mahki Harris; eight great-nieces and six great-nephews; aunt, Bettye Jean Holtzclaw; first cousins, Stelloise Roach, Dexter Roach (Lynn), Felicia Roach-Talifarro, Laquitha Holtzclaw-Thompson (Greg), Karen Holtzclaw, and Redina Holtzclaw; and a host of great-grand nieces, great-grand nephews, cousins, and friends iIncluding, Brenda Harris, Donna Johnson, Sherrema Bower, Karin Johnson, Lenora Burell, her Missionary Society sisters, and her friends and colleagues at the Flint Public Library. Alfreda was preceded in death by her father, Edward Everett Harris Jr.; mother, Marie Sanders; sister, Sherill Denise Harris; and nephew, Jarrod Allen Cayton.

Ms. Alfreda Ann Harris

March 23, 1955 - May 17, 2023