Annie Irene Harris

late Annie Letha and Levi Higgins in Savannah, Tennessee on February 19,

1933 and peacefully departed this life on April 5, 2020 with love and family

by her side. Her mother, father, sister Mary Bettie Spicer, brother Ralph

Anthony Higgins, sister Frankie Jean Williams, first husband Melvin Smith

Sr., second husband David Harris all preceded her in death. She confessed

her belief in Christ at the precious age of 10 and was baptized by the late

Rev. H.L.Taylor, Pastor of Golden Light Baptist Church in Caruthersville,

Missouri. She and her sister Frankie became active members of the choir.

She became captain of the girls High School Basketball team where she

excelled in the sport. As the eldest child, Irene struck out on her own and

soon moved to north Chicago for a moment and settled in Cleveland,

Ohio. Once there she met Private First Class, Melvin Smith and soon they

married. Their union bore four children: Gregory, Andrea, Kalvin & Daryl.

Once up North Annie had a plan to make sure she would always take

charge of her future and began working for General Electric in 1955 as the

first Woman of color in the Cleveland Plant. Although Annie and Melvin

divorced, he remained part of their lives. In 1968 Annie would move her

family from a duplex on 687 Eddy Road, to her new home to the majority

white neighborhood of East Cleveland on Penrose Avenue. Annie would

marry again to David Harris and, they would divorce as well.

Annie found comfort in decorating her home and dressing herself with

the swag and confidence of an independent Black woman. She helped her

brother Johnnie Lee, Mary Bettie and Yvonne all relocate to the Cleveland

area where they all lived with her temporarily until they were able to find

work and housing for themselves. Annie somewhat became the Matriarch

of the North and did so with quite a bit of attitude. Many family members

and friends knew her to “Say what she meant” in a tone that would make

sailors blush. She demanded respect from everyone from the Mayor to the

Police Chief in East Cleveland. If you played music loud or thought you

were tough, she would walk out to your car at 1am in the morning and tell

you to “turn that bleep down” and “I’m calling the Police”.

Annie would live in this home and care for her property until she finally

paid it off. The home where all of her children grew and prosper until

2019 where she could no longer care for herself. Her Angel of a daughter,

Andrea...took her in as she became weaker and single-handedly gave Irene

the loving care she needed. With a hug and a squeeze from Mothers hand,

Andrea (Michelle) gave her permission to go home and told her we will all

be ok.

Education: R-3 McCarthy Elementary and Washington High School-

Caruthersville, MO.

Achievements & Honors: High School Homecoming Queen Senior year.

GE employee 53 years until plant closed, Congratulatory bulbs with her

name embossed. Became a Red Coat Visitors aid at Cleveland Clinic for 3

years after retirement, Paid off Home, Home & Garden Decorator,

Annie Irene Harris leaves to cherish and Honor her Life, four children:

Gregory Dwayne Smith; Andrea Michelle Smith; Kalvin Bernard Smith

and Daryl Arkeith Smith. Five brothers; Jonny Lee Higgins (Della) of

Upland, CA; Deacon Joe Thomas Higgins of Cleveland, Ohio; Deacon

Kenneth Higgins (Gwen) of MO; Fred Allen Higgins (Alice) and Phores

Gene Higgins both of Caruthersville, MO; one sister Yvonne Williams

(Andrew) of Cleveland, cousins, 8 grandchildren and a host of great

grandchildren.