Juanita Virginia (Flemister) Harris

Juanita Virginia Flemister Harris was born to Percy Flemister, Jr. and Sally Grace Bigby Flemister on June 7, 1941 in Scottsdale, Georgia.

She was educated in the Dekalb County School System and graduated from Hamilton High School with high honors in 1959. She met the love of her life, Leroy Matthew Harris, Sr., while at Hamilton High. They were joined in Holy Matrimony on January 4, 1959. To this union four children were born; Leroy Matthew Harris, Jr., Rhonda F. Harris, Bruce Harris and Kenneth D. Harris, Sr.

Juanita was actively involved in her community and the county of Dekalb. She spearheaded the creation of Dekalb E. O. A. Child Development Program, the County Line Life Improvement Organization and the in school suspension program in the metro Atlanta area. Uplifting the underemployed, under serviced and underprivileged was her life-long mission.

Being a very spiritual person, she joined the Chapel First Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend McGuire at an early age. She served in the choir, the Sunday school and all youth activities. Upon moving to the County Line community, she joined Poplar Springs Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Reynolds. As a member of Poplar Springs, she taught Sunday school, lead marriage seminars, was very active on the Deaconess and Usher Boards, lead women seminars and participated in many other organizations.

An avid fisherwoman, she journeyed to many areas of the southeast with her parents, friends and siblings. Other than reading and fishing, spending time with her grandchildren was her love. She never missed an opportunity to talk with them about life, take them to Burlington for their winter coats, help with homework and stress the importance of education and hard work. If at her house on Sunday, everyone knew that their day would be spent in church somewhere. She instilled in all the knowledge that “God is in control and He will take care of you.” Her valiant fight with cancer was a perfect demonstration of her devotion to and belief in God.

Juanita leaves a legacy of four children, Leroy Matthew Harris, Jr., Rhonda F. Harris, Bruce Harris and Kenneth D. Harris, Sr.; three sisters, Lucy Harper (Norris), Pinkie Tyson and Glenda Britton (Waddell); one brother, Raymond Percy Flemister (LaKangela); 18 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 4:00PM-7:00PM in The Heritage Suite at Horis A. Ward Funeral Home, 376 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281.

The Celebration of Life for Mother Juanita Virginia Flemister Harris will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 11:00AM at Calvary Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 2627 Ward Lake Road, Ellenwood, Georgia 30294. Interment will immediately follow in Kennedy Memorial Gardens.