Missionary and beloved sister Etta Mae Harris, age 72, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, on June 1, 2015. Sister Harris was born in Varnado on Nov. 24, 1942, to the late Hattie Robinson-Brumfield and the late Sim Morris. She graduated from Wesley Ray High School in 1960. She was a life-long resident and servant of the Varnado, Angie and Bogalusa Communities.

Our Heavenly Father chose Sister Etta at a very young age and she took up her cross and followed him. She joined the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. B.B. Moses and joined the church choir. She continued her faithful and steadfast service for another 50 years under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. A.S. Nelson until “The Most High” called her home. Sister Harris is most likely the longest serving member of the choir in the history of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Her friends witnessed her humming songs of praise as God began to put her to rest.

Sister Etta united in Holy Matrimony to Deacon Louis G. Harris on Feb. 9, 1963. During this 52-year union, four children were born including Louis Patrick Harris of Moss Point, Miss.; Carolina Mechell Harris-Gardner of California; Henry Miro Harris of Bogalusa; Barrical Lynn Harris of Angie; and adopted son and grandson, Tyren J. Harris of Varnado.

Sister Harris was preceded in death by her mother, Hattie Robinson-Brumfield; father, Sim Morris; and brothers, the Rev. Elvis Brumfield and Jessie Brumfield Jr.

She leaves a great legacy and precious memories to her devoted husband, Louis G. Harris; four children; one sister, R. Lee McClendon; and one brother, Clinton Brumfield, both of Varnado. She also leaves these keepsakes to her 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; five special nieces; two stepchildren; and a host of relatives, friends and other lives that she has touched. Her special loved ones and friends embrace her love. They include Sister Mildred Spikes, the Rev. Lesley McKinley, Sister Annie Moses, Sister Helen Magee, Sister Rena Pack, Sister Alva Martin, Sister Louvenia McKinley and Sister Gloria Jefferson.

Sister Harris’s church services and ministries included church choir, 56 years; church recording secretary, 45 years; Mission Board; Sunday school; Baptist Training Union; prison ministry; and nursing home ministry. Her community services included more than 20 years’ service with the community voting precinct; many years of dependable juror service; and service as a volunteer with the community food bank.

Sister Harris served more than 50 years as an employee with the Bogalusa Community Medical Center (now Our Lady of the Angels). She started in the laundry room and worked her way up to the Surgery Department as a surgical technician. She advanced her career by being a loyal and devoted employee, working hard and completing courses at Sullivan Vocational School (now Northshore Community College.

Farewell Sister Etta Mae Harris. You bore your cross, now go and receive your crown.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 5, 2015, at Cook-Richmond Funeral Home in Bogalusa. Public viewing will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a family hour from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The funeral services will be Saturday, June 6, 2015, at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Varnado. The public viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with the funeral services starting at 11:30 a.m. The Rev. Dr. A.S. Nelson officiating. The interment will take place at Robinson Cemetery in Varnado.