Dorothy Mae Harris

On May 20, 1935, Dorothy May Ford was born to Willie Mae Russell and Edward Ford. She entered the Earth realm and began her journey in Woodward Alabama. She shared her childhood with her one sibling, her loving, protective, big brother, Carl Barnes, Sr.

She attended Woodward Elementary School and was a cheerleader and graduate of Brighton High School. Dorothy earned an Associate Degree in Nursing and was employed at various hospitals and nursing facilities throughout Jefferson County. Most of her nursing career she worked at St. Vincent and Children's Hospital. Her nursing experience afforded her to care for her grandparents, Lonnie and Warnelia Ford as well as her stepmother, Evelyn Ford and father, Edward Ford.

She confessed her belief in Christ at an early age at first Baptist Church Woodward. She was a lifelong member there all of her 89 years and served faithfully until her health failed her. She served in various auxiliaries, including the Mission, Nurses Guild, and the Senior Choir. Dorothy loved praising the Lord, singing, and was known for her beautiful high soprano voice. She shared her voice with a local gospel group and with The Call to Christ Singers.

Dorothy knew and loved the Lord, and she taught her children to do the same. She often gathered the children of the neighborhood to pray with them before they went off to school.

She will be remembered for her sassy remarks and her great sense of style. She loved to turn every day into a runway. Some would say she was a DIVA before we knew what a DIVA was. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, elegance, and a life well lived.

Those who preceded her in death are her mother, Willie Mae Pippin; father, Edward Ford; grandparents, Lonnie and Warnelia Ford; stepmother, Evelyn Ford; spouse, Rufus Harris, Sr, and son, Rufus Harris, Jr.

On Sunday, February 23, 2025, Dorothy transitioned from mortality to immortality. Those left behind to cherish her memories, her daughter, Crystal (Elmer) Sherman; her sons, Gerald (Tiajuana) Pippen, Roderick (Shaunte') Jackson, Rufus, Jr. (Cheryl) Harris, Derrick (Tonya) Harris, Carlos (Tyra) Harris and Edward (Marlene) Harris; 25 grandchildren, 9 great- grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren; one brother, Carl, Sr. (Iola) Barnes; adopted children, Dolores Frost, Fred and Vanessa Thompson and Tiffany Jackson; adopted families, The Heavens Girls, The Farley Family and The Gray Family; two sisters-in-law, Mary Sanders and Mary Harris and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family.