Bessie Geain Harris' Obituary
Bessie Geain Harris was born February 21, 1950, in Elaine, Arkansas to the late Marvin Sr. and Louise Huey Cole. She was received in the presence of the Lord the morning of Friday, September 27, 2024, with family by her side.
She attended Elijah Miller High School in West Helena, Arkansas and later relocated to Springfield, Illinois where she raised her seven children. In 1986, she later relocated to Waterloo, Iowa where she wanted a better future for her loving children.
Bessie had a steadfast personality and demonstrated warmth and support. Her heart was filled with love and always willing to help family and friends. She touched hearts with her cooking and made sure everyone who visited were treated as family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Rodney Johnson and Cedric Craft; siblings, Grady Cole, Ruby Lee Cole, and Emma Winfield; and brothers-in-law, Melvin Howse and Willie Earl Hopkins.
Those who will cherish her memories are her three loving daughters, Brenda Harris and LaShunta Johnson of Waterloo and Stephanie Craft of Nashville, Tennessee; bonus daughters, Brenda Banks, Susan Burns, and Caneysha Bolden of Waterloo; two sons, Harry Johnson of Springfield and DeWayne Craft of Waterloo; sisters, Willie Bea Howse and Mabel Cole of Springfield and Linda Hopkins of Lexington, Kentucky; brothers, Marvin Cole Jr. (Dorothy) of Chicago, Illinois and Roy Cole of Lexington; 23 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
A memorial will be held on Saturday, October 12th, 2024, at Sanders Funeral Services, 1701 E. 4th Street, Waterloo, 50703 at 2 p.m. Following the memorial will be a repast at Cathedral of Faith Baptist Church at 3040 Hammond Avenue, Waterloo, 50702 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Bessie’s family.
Acknowledgements
The family of Bessie Harris graciously acknowledges your kindness, love, prayers, concerns, and all acts of thoughtfulness during this difficult time. We thank you so much and May God bless each of you!
Special thanks to LaShun Brown and Stephanie Harris for their assistance and support. Your contributions have been a source of strength, and we are profoundly appreciative of the love shared in the memory of your grandmother, Bessie Harris.
The Sanders Service
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