Eldress Dr. Rachel Odessa Harris, 94, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Bon Secours Maryview Hospital. She was born January 17, 1925 in the historic Truxton section of Portsmouth, VA to her late God- fearing parents, Joseph & Georgia Edwards Smith. She was a devoted wife of 66 years to her late husband, a great man of God, Charles Harris. She was an amazing mother to her only daughter, Sylvia Harris Teartt. She was a loving grandmother to five grandchildren: Camilla Teartt, Cynthia Sykes (Lloyd), Christine Fitzgerald (Jimmy), Sheila Todd (Paul), Joseph Teartt (Schanell); eight great grandchildren: Tyren Johnson, Darlene Brown (Michael), Monique Teartt, Loren Jackson, Brandon Sharpe, Paul Todd, Caleb Teartt, Tyler Teartt; and six great-greatgrandchildren: Alexus Johnson, Nyla Johnson, Bailey Brown, Jaelyn Harris, Gabriel Jackson, & Jameson Palmer. She was preceded by ten siblings and has left one with us, Robert (Bobby) Smith. She created an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for many other family members and friends that will miss her dearly.

Eldress Dr. Rachel Harris received her diploma from I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA. She matriculated at Norfolk State College, in Norfolk, Virginia and attended the Women’s Christian Leadership School at Union University in Richmond, Virginia. Additional course work was completed at United Christian Institute in Norfolk, Virginia. She received an honorary doctorate in 2000 by Christ’s Anointed People (C.A.P) Bible College by the late Dr. Alvenda Hobbs, President and Dr. Katheryne Mc-Kinney – Moore, Vice President. This award was given based on her lifetime of work, much study, preparation, and labor dedicated to many for the welfare of the physical and spiritual needs of God’s people and for her commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Eldress Dr. Rachel Harris’ work here on earth was well done. The Lord anointed this dynamic woman of God with a talent for floral arrangement. She owned Econo Florist which blessed the heart and lives of many for over 36 years.

She was a faithful member of The Garden of Prayer Worship Center Church of God in Christ in Norfolk, VA under Bishop Levi E. Willis, Sr. and Bishop Willis II for almost 60 years. Her dedication to serving the Lord was exemplified by her diligent faithfulness as she worked in numerous organizations, ministries, and auxiliaries that ministered to the natural and spiritual needs of people.

A wake service will be conducted Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 5:30 PM at Corprew Funeral Home, 1822 Portsmouth Blvd. Portsmouth, VA.

The home-going service will follow on Friday, June 14, 2019, 12:00 PM at Garden of Prayer Worship Center, 1001 Church St. Norfolk, VA.  Interment will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake, VA.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.corprewfuneralhome.net