Helen Selene Harris

Helen Selene Griffin Harris, was born November 18, 1926 in Nashville TN, to the late Clarence and Larena Griffin, she was the first of nine children. Helen was a graduate of Pearl High School in 1944 and attended Tennessee State University. In 1947 she was joined in holy matrimony with the late John Al Harris Jr. her one and only love! They became the proud parents of three offspring Ronald, Brenda and Vikki. Raised in a Christian home she gave her life to Christ at an early age. Helen united with First Baptist South Inglewood under the leadership of Rev. Thomas E. Sweeney Jr. where she has remained an active member for over 60 years. Helen was a stay at home mother, became an entrepreneur for many years, buying, remodeling and renting homes (affordable housing). However, after seeking The Lord's guidance at age 40, Helen become an employee of The Tennessee Prison for Women. She Counseled numerous female inmates for 22 years and considered it her Ministry! She would delight in articulating "For Such A Time as This" I have to serve these young women with power, purpose and promise, desiring to change some and transform others. In addition, Ms. Harris was known as a community advocate. She, accompanied by eleven other forward thinking progressive young women founded the 12 Links Civic Club. The 12 Links organized to address individual and collective needs of the community. Helen was charismatic, she had a beautiful personality and a captivating sense of humor. She was beautiful, intelligent, outspoken an avid reader, stylish a lover of beauty and music, jazz and classical in particular. She enjoyed history facts, traveling, good food, sewing, decorating and card games. In addition, Helen was extremely competitive always poised for completion and meaningful conversation! A MAJESTIC EAGLE as Helen was once described, she embodied, embraced and embedded greatness as a Christian, a wife, mother, grandmother, sibling, family member and friend. She possessed a clear sense of self and was always a nurturer of the universe. Helen was in every sense a true Beautiful Social Butterfly. Helen Selene Harris was indeed a Queen among women, always maintaining that with God all things were possible! She leaves to cherish her BEAUTIFUL LEGACY children, Ronald (Joyce) Harris Sr., Brenda Harris (Lawrence) Haywood, and Vikki Harris Hogan. Grandchildren, Ronald Harris Jr., Dominique (Alvin) Miller, Lawrence (Shemika) Haywood Jr., Randall (Amy) Harris, Denikka (Russell) Mallory, and Devonte' Hogan, Teri Felder and African Sunshine. Sisters, Birdie Campbell and Roslyn (Bobby) Kinkade. Several Great Grandchildren and a host of additional loving relatives and friends.