Helen Harris

Helen Florentine Allen Harris peacefully ascended as she joined the saints in glory Monday, September 16, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Marion and Charles Allen, born September 19, 1932. She is a graduate of Portsmouth’ s I.C Norcom High School where she was Captain of the Girls Basketball Team. Later, she was inducted into I.C Norcom ’ s Basketball Hall of Fame. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree in Education from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. Helen sang in the choir and was inducted into Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, charter line 1953, Alpha Gamma Chapter.

On September 30, 2023, Helen was honored as the chapter’s last living charter member. Additionally, she earned a Master of Science (M.S) degree in Education from Old Dominion University where she graduated with distinction.

Helen was married to George Reed Harris, and upon his passing in 1994 they were married for 37 years. From their union two daughters were born, Angela and Melanie. Helen and George reared their girls in the church, sacrificed for their education and cultural development. They made sure that every summer the girls experienced the joy of a family vacation. Helen was a supportive, loving and fun “Iya ” (grandmother) to Dwahn, Niya and Chayla. They spent their summers with her enjoying camp at the YMCA and Vacation Bible School at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church.

Helen was no stranger to hard work. Her first job was collecting paper route money for her brothers Reggie and George. To defray the cost of her college education, she worked as a cook and in a fur factory in New York City during the summer. After graduation her first job was with Portsmouth Parks and Recreation. Next, she accepted her first teaching position at Central Elementary School in Chesapeake, Virginia. She was among the first group of teachers trained for the Head Start program in the 1960’ s. As a result of integration, Helen was transferred to Western Branch Primary School where she continued to teach first grade. She retired from the Chesapeake School system with 33 years of service.

As a native of Portsmouth, Helen’s life work was proudly serving the community. She was a dedicated and engaged leader. Organizations she participated with include: Brighton/Prentis Park Civic League (car patrol); ECSU Portsmouth Alumnae Chapter (secretary for over 20 years); National Education Association; Disabled Veterans Association and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Zeta Pi Zeta Chapter (Basileus). Her Christian service at St Mark Missionary Baptist Church includes serving as choir pianist in her youth; secretary of the #2 Usher Ministry and champion of the first Aerobic Ministry.
She enjoyed the fellowship of the Senior Ministry and was a proud member of the Tribe of Simeon.

Helen loved to stay active and engaged. She was a trend setter as the lone African American participant in the Community Bible Study Group in Virginia Beach, VA. She walked regularly at MacArthur Mall and exercised at the Parker Center. She traveled the world visiting Ghana, South Africa, Italy, Alaska, the Caribbean, and several states.

She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters Angela Harris of Temple Hills, MD, Melanie Lewis (Timothy) of Fort Washington, MD; three grandchildren Dwahn Sandidge, Niya Lee (Dominic), Chayla Lewis; two brothers Reggie and George Allen (Maxine); special sister/friend Dorothy Harrison; compassionate caregiver Ernestine Lopez and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.