Dorothy M. (Perry) Harris

Dorothy Harris Obituary Dorothy Marie Perry Harris was born on April 28, 1918 in the small coal-mining town of Raymond City, West Virginia, to Gainor Beverly Perry and Edward Nathaniel Perry. “Dot,” as she was lovingly called by her family and close friends, accepted Christ at the age of 12 and was baptized at the Mt. Hermon Baptist Church. After completing her early education in Raymond City, she attended West Virginia State High School in Institute, West Virginia and graduated in 1938. She then went on to attend West Virginia State College for one year. Dorothy moved to Cleveland, Ohio with her family in 1942 and briefly enrolled in beauty school. Being her sole means of support at the time, she could not finish beauty school and started working at the Stone Knitting Mill full time. During this time, she met her future husband, James Leroy Harris. On September 14, 1944, the two lovebirds married and to this union brought two children; Deborah and Stephen. Their union lasted for 69 years until James passed away in January of 2014. After relocating to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1946, Dorothy and James moved back to Cleveland in 1951 – where they joined Providence Missionary Baptist Church, making it their church home. Sister Harris, as her church family called her, served faithfully on the Deaconess Board, Mission Board and as a teacher at Daily Vacation Bible School. She was also a member of the Providence Baptist Church Bowling League for over 20 years. Dorothy went on to work as a school bus driver and teacher’s assistant for the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation for over 20 years, until she retired in 1983. During her retirement she was able to travel and enjoy family time with her husband, children, and grandchildren taking on sights such as a trip to the Holy Land and never missing an Alston-Perry Family Reunion or going to “Homecoming” in Moatstown, West Virginia every summer. Dorothy Marie Perry Harris went home to be with the Lord on January 4, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, brother Charles Perry and two children; Deborah McCollum and Stephen Harris. She leaves to cherish her memory: son-in-law, Robert McCollum; daughter-in-law, Vivian Harris; five grandchildren, Sean Lamont Davis, Adom Nathaniel Leroy Harris (Katie), Christiana Mariah Lee Harris, Matthew James Harris, and Whitney Marie McCollum; two great-grandchildren, Stella and Nate; nieces, Charlene and Ciera Perry; one “special daughter”, Barbara Vassar; her devoted caretaker, Essie Motley, who became one of the family; and a host of other loving relatives and family friends. Humbly Submitted – The Family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy M. (Perry) Harris, please visit our floral store. Read More

Dorothy M. (Perry) Harris

April 28, 1918 - January 4, 2023