Lula B.

Harris

Lula Beatrice (Graham) Harris was born in Cleveland, Mississippi on Sept. 8, 1931, to Annie Mae (Clay) and Lindsey Graham. She made her transition to eternal life on January 13, 2025, at the age of 93.

Lula had a warm heart, with an infinite capacity to love, which she shared with her husband, children, family and friends. She became everyone's mother in her later years because of her forgiving spirit and no-nonsense approach to life.

She was raised in Grand Lake, Arkansas but the family moved to Eudora so she and her siblings could attend high school. She excelled at Eudora High and was a member of the cheerleading squad.

She moved to Toledo, Ohio in 1952, and lived with her older sister, Essie Mae. She met her future husband, Luther J. Harris, while working as a waitress at the Knotty Pine. He stopped by one day and became one of her best customers. They married in 1953 and shared over 62 years together while raising seven children.

Lula always said she loved kids and their home on Fulton Street was always bustling with activity and life. You could always find at least one of her grandchildren there.

She was a faithful member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church for over 70 years and was honored for being the longest-serving member of the church. Over the years, she served as a Usher Board member, choir member, Youth Fellowship Leader, Youth Sunday School Teacher, and Mother of the church.

Lula worked for many years as a nurse's aide at the Darlington House. She also worked in retail at Bell Drug Store and Lane's Drug Store, which was taken over by Rite Aid. She always believed in education and graduated with a dental assistant certification.

One of her best friends, Lillie Brown, invited her to a meeting of the Lethia C. Fleming Club in 1978, which is a local chapter of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. She became a dedicated member and served several terms as President of the local chapter. She also received many honors, including one for over 25 years of membership and "Club Member of the Year". Lula said what she most enjoyed about being a member was the comradery of the other women, traveling and shopping.

She was also a proud member of the International F. & A.M. Masons, Inc. Order of The Eastern Stars and the City-Wide Mission.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; brother, Johnnie (Lena)Graham; sister, Essie (Walter) Williams; son, Tommie Lee Graham, and daughters Lutherine Poston and Ernestine Harris.

She leaves to cherish her memory, sons, Andrew (Marion) Graham, and Lindsey Harris; daughters, Vernice (James) Hooker, Marlene (Darrell) Taylor; daughter-in-law Sharon Graham; son-in-law Steve Poston and former son-in-law Herbert Blanchard; 12 grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Wake services will be Saturday, January 25 at 11 a.m. followed by funeral services at Noon at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 2001 Ashland Avenue, Rev. J.L. Jordan pastor, officiant, interment Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.