Frances Nell Harris' Obituary
On Sunday night, August 7, 2022, Frances Nell Ellis Harris, 96, quietly and peacefully passed from this life into the everlasting arms of her Maker Redeemer surrounded by family. That morning her adult children and spouses shared a short time of worship via telephone, singing “What A Friend We Have in Jesus” and praying together.
Frances was born in Orange Texas, August 5, 1926, to Harrelson “Hal” and Lucille Ellis. All her life, she cherished her Mom and Dad and her little brother, Harold “H’ie” two years her junior (who preceded her in death in 2014). In teen years Frances received Christ. She graduated from Pasadena High School.
During World War II, Frances attended college at what is now Texas State University, in San Marcos, Texas, where she met the love of her life, Claude Ford Harris (1925-1962). They married in January of 1945. During Ford’s military service, Frances enjoyed doing clerical work at Ellington Air Force Base.
After Ford’s discharge from the Army Air Corps, they settled in South Houston. Desiring Sunday School for their children, they began attending 1st Baptist Church, South Houston. Shortly thereafter, Ford received Christ and was ordained a Deacon. In 1961, they had their third child, Duane.
Ford passed away suddenly in 1962. Frances heroically rose to the challenge and continued raising her three children, then 13, 11 and not yet 2. Already famous for her baked goods, Frances helped “make ends meet” by offering cakes and pies for sale out of their home. Everyone in the Harris family remembers their home life full of joy, laughter, and music. Frances impacted countless lives in church and community via Sunday School, church nursery, Women’s Missionary Society and an always open door at home with a fresh pot of coffee and sweets. She gave as generously to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren as she did to her church and neighbors.
After Duane graduated high school, Frances took a clerical job at Sears, where she excelled at learning to use a computer. She then went on to work with Darrell and Janet at Star Song Records for 10 years. In 1989, Frances became church secretary at Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Clear Lake and worked there until her retirement in her mid-70s. She was loved by all who met her.
Frances is survived by her three children and their spouses, Darrell Harris (Janet), Cindy Odom (Bob) and Duane Harris (Sherri), grandchildren Aubree Harris Veile (David), Chelsea Harris Hutchinson (Tom), Evangeline Odom Gilson (David), Rose Odom Taylor (Derek), Evan Harris (Kenzi), Brandon Harris (Lyndsay), Zachary Harris (Jenn Lefkowitz), and 18 great grandchildren, Adria, Emmy & Houston Veile, Harry, June & Alice Hutchinson, Luke, Matthew & Abigail Gilson, Bella & John Taylor, Connor, Caden, Colton & Caroline Harris, Sawyer, Eli & Madison Harris.
If you can not join the family for the Service of Remembrance you can watch it here via live stream:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/77350/hash:D167AD89B747032A
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