Mrs. Mary JoAnn Harris

Memorial Reflections Sunrise: August 11, 1943 — Sunset: January 24, 2024 On January 24, 2024, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the Lord in His infinite wisdom called one of His good and faithful servants home to her eternal rest. Mary JoAnn Lyde Harris was born on August 11,1943 to the late Martha Daniel Lyde and James Lyde. JoAnn, as she was affectionately called by her family and friends, was a native of Durham, North Carolina and was educated in the Durham Public Schools system. She graduated from Hillside High School in the Class of 1961. JoAnn furthered her education at North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University). JoAnn was a "woman of love." She was known for having a loving spirit to which people were automatically attached. She found joy in doing for others and was the most selfless angel that anyone on Earth could ever meet. She was an excellent cook and was well-known for the many family and friends' gatherings that she hosted at her home. Her hobbies included creating lovely designs and patterns through needlepoint, reading and residential decorating. JoAnn was preceded in death by her son, Darryl Christopher Harris; her sister, Ella Joyce McAdams-Braswell; two brothers-in-law, Charles Harris and Henry Richard Harris; and one sister-in-law, Martha Nell Harris. On May 2, 1970, JoAnn was joined in marriage to the love of her life, John A. Harris, and relocated to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. JoAnn was employed at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, North Carolina for several years in the admission office. She retired from AA All American Healthcare, Fayetteville, North Carolina on December 29, 2021. JoAnn loved to serve the Lord. She joined First Calvary Baptist Church, Durham, North Carolina at an early age and was a faithful member of the Junior Missionaries, the Young Adult Missionaries and she served as a Vacation Bible School teacher. Because of her great love for her home church, for many years while residing in Fayetteville, she continued to drive to Durham every Sunday morning to worship at First Calvary. She was later encouraged to join a local church and became a member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC where she served as secretary of the Prison Ministry for several years. She leaves to cherish her memories, a loving husband, John A Harris; one son, John Everette Harris of Dubai, United Arab Emirates; two grandchildren, LaShonda Gibson of Morrisville, NC and Dion Allen of Durham, NC; one great-grandson, Christopher Gibson of Morrisville, NC; one sister, Brenda Lyde of Durham, NC; a sister-cousin, Barbara Rice-Richmond of Durham, NC; two brothers-in-law, Frank Harris (Rose) and Isaac Harris (Nora) both of Atlanta, GA; one nephew, Michael McAdams (Shirlette) of Durham, NC; two nieces, Anita McAdams of Durham, NC and Skye Braswell of Atlanta, GA; two great nephews, Brandon Douglas of Atlanta, GA and Delson McAdams of Burlington, NC; one great niece, Tenetia McAdams of Durham, NC; special friends, Mae Frances Pannell, Terrie Curry, Helen Hill, Juanita Williams, Carmen Johnson and Chrissy Austin; and a host of other loving relatives

Mrs. Mary JoAnn Harris

August 11, 1943 - January 24, 2024