Louise Fitzgerald Harris was born on June 4, 1917 in Norfolk, Virginia to the late William Lee, Sr. and Inez Thomas Fitzgerald. She was predeceased by one brother, William Lee Fitzgerald, Jr. She entered quietly into eternal rest on August 31, 2012 at the Piney Forest Healthcare Center.
At an early age she was baptized and joined Big Bethel Church where she sang in the youth choir. At the age of 15, she joined High Street Baptist Church where she grew in faith and spiritual vigor. There, she served on the youth choir and usher board.
On December 22, 1945 she married her college sweetheart, Wilbert Preston Harris, Sr., who preceded her in death. To this union two children were born, Wilbert P. Harris, Jr. and Camilla E. Harris-Robertson. In 1963, she and her family moved to Alexandria, Virginia where she continued teaching and joined Alfred Street Baptist Church. She was a diligent and dedicated Christian and rendered her services unselfishly as a Sunday school teacher, financial secretary, senior choir member and deaconess. She served on many Christian Education committees. Louise found real joy in working in the church. She worked on several committees until her health began to fail as she was diagnosed with leukemia in 1973. Even though she was ill, she still made her way to church to fulfill her Christian duties. She kept her faith.
She received her high school education at Westmoreland High School in Danville, Virginia. She attended Virginia State University where she earned her BS and MA degrees in childhood education. She began her professional career at the high school where she attended. She retired from teaching after 32 years. In addition to her professional career, she was involved in numerous professional and community organizations. Upon her retirement, she and her family returned to Danville renewing her full active membership at High Street Baptist Church. At High Street she served as a deaconess, Sunday school teacher, Missionary Society president, condolence clerk, senior choir member, and she did a beautiful job of maintaining the bulletin board at the entrance of the church.
Louise leaves to cherish her memory one son, Wilbert, Jr. and one daughter, Camilla both of Danville, Virginia; one daughter-in-law, Adriane R. Hawkins, one son-in-law Samuel G. Robertson; eight grandchildren; Anamaria, Iceson, Melanie, Marcus, Nadezhda, Jerome, Jr., Jeremy, and Xavier; eleven great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy O. Harris and Beatrice Fitzgerald; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held 12:00 Noon Thursday, September 6, 2012 at High Street Baptist Church with Rev. Jerome Morris, Pastor, officiating and Rev. Percey Chase as Eulogist. The interment will be in the Danville Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7-8 Pm at the High Street Baptist Church. Condolences may be sent to www.Davis-Turner.com. Service of Comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.