Mary Agnes Harris

Mary Agnes Jones Harris, fondly known as “Louise”, the first of five siblings, was born July 16, 1941, to the late Eddie Jones, Sr. and Mother Johnnie Mae Jones, of Bolton, Mississippi. Agnes peacefully transitioned to glory on December 27, 2024, lovingly surrounded by her daughter, granddaughter, and caregiver.

The value of family was center to Agnes’s world, stemming from her close bond with her parents ~ she was definitely a daddy’s girl. Agnes had a colorful connection with her brothers, where each had a special relationship with her; she made it a point to tailor her love for each of them. Being the only girl and the eldest made Agnes “a tough cookie”! Agnes also carried the love of a sister-cousin, Irene (Lucy) Hearns. Agnes and Lucy were two peas in a pod and committed to daily phone calls for hours throughout adulthood. Agnes attended St. Thomas Elementary School in St. Thomas, Mississippi and graduated from Sumner Hill High School in Clinton, Mississippi in 1959 setting the stage for her continued pursuits in education.

Agnes attended and graduated from Campbell College in Jackson, Mississippi with an associate’s degree in business administration. During this time, Agnes contributed to societal change by serving as an advocate for civil rights and participated in various marches and administrative duties to personally assist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (having noticed Agnes’s rebellious nature, Dr. King specifically told her, “We will fight with silence and not action”).

While visiting Jackson State University with friends, her cousin, Agnes McGowan, introduced Agnes to a quiet, handsome classmate named Bobby Ray Harris, and they hit it off immediately! During their courtship, Bobby and Agnes affectionately wrote love letters to each other until they wedded on March 27, 1962. Bobby and Agnes were married for 55 years until Bobby’s earthly departure in 2017.

Shortly after marrying, Agnes and Bobby relocated to the Pacific Northwest after Bobby acquired a position with Southern Pacific Railroad in Portland, Oregon – a new frontier. In 1963, they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Cynthia Harris. Agnes took motherhood to heart and always demonstrated her love and care for Cynthia. The “love story” shared between Agnes and Cynthia reminds you of the bible story of Ruth and Naomi, a pillar of strength and grace. Agnes consistently poured a lifetime of sacrifice, guidance, wisdom, selflessness, and unconditional love into Cynthia’s life.

In Portland, Agnes continued her education where she earned a Bachelor of Science from Portland State University in Elementary Education in 1972. Notably, Agnes made history as the first black, female, early childhood educator in the state of Oregon in 1973. She went on to continue her pursuits and earned her master’s in education from Portland State University in 1979. Agnes taught grades first through eighth, but her first love was kindergarten. She loved the little people! She was affectionately known as “Mrs. Harris” to hundreds of students at Irvington Elementary School, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School, Gregory Heights Elementary School, and (Harvey) Scott Elementary School. Agnes was more than a teacher – she was an advocate for youth. Each year, Agnes purchased children’s coats and supplies in anticipation of the needs of her students and graciously shared them. For every field trip, Agnes went to Subway to buy sandwiches for kids

without lunch. On occasion, Agnes opened her home on the weekends for respite foster care for many of her student’s awaiting foster care assignments. Agnes was a very fun-loving teacher, always finding ways for her students to enjoy school. One of the highlights of Agnes’s career was hosting an all-school assembly sponsored by Nickelodeon’s Slime Time, one last unforgettable experience before her retirement in June 2001 – a 31-year stretch of memories for a lifetime and hundreds of lives touched.

In 1994, Agnes met a new love through the birth of her only grandchild, Rakiyah Simone Johnson, known to her as “Kiyah”. Agnes and Kiyah were inseparable and spent many days together throughout her childhood. Agnes made sure that Kiyah was always in her shadow from cleaning, to gardening, to cooking, and anything in between. Agnes even briefly came out of retirement and served as a volunteer tutor for Kiyah’s elementary class. Characteristic of their playful and sometimes sarcastic relationship, she made Kiyah refer to her as “Mrs. Harris” in the classroom. The two continued their friendship into Kiyah’s adult life where she continued to inspire Kiyah to be her best self, to love the Lord, and to dream beyond what she could see.

Anyone who knew Agnes knew a few obvious things about her: as deeply as she loved, she also was accountable and made sure the people around her were, too. Often, anyone who visited her house was invited into the kitchen, living room, or hours on the phone to have in-depth conversation about life, feelings, and the future. If you asked her for her help or assistance, she would reply, “don’t just bring me a problem, what is your solution?” Agnes cared more about how the people she loved showed up in the world than anything else and shared her wisdom liberally. In her free time, Agnes tended to her own wellness by maintaining one of the most beautiful gardens in Northeast Portland where onlookers from around the neighborhood would come for a bouquet. Agnes embodied her community and served as the president of the neighborhood watch association for the Vernon Community.

Agnes was a die-hard and devoted Oregon Ducks fan, Cynthia’s alma mater. Game day began with Agnes planning her pregame meal and team attire she would proudly wear. Don’t interrupt her while the game was on!

Agnes embodied strength and courage, attributes she exhibited until the end. Shortly after Bobby’s passing in 2017, Agnes began her fight with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia, conditions that changed her life forever. On her journey, Cynthia acted as her primary caregiver and top supporter. Mary joined Greater Community COGIC in Atlanta, GA during the pandemic as a part of Greater Nation’s online ministry.

Graciously, the Lord allowed Agnes to stay true to her character as she entered care facilities. Her room became a haven for the caregiving staff where some would even spend their lunch sitting and talking with Agnes, specially Amer Ahmed and Jessica Parrish at her first facility where both looked to her as a grandmother. In February of 2024, the Lord answered a prayer in delivering Mary into the affectionate care of Dorina’s Adult Foster Care Home held by the Parascas family where they affectionately called her, “Miss Mary” or “Grandma Mary”. Not only was Dorina attentive to Agnes’s physical care needs, but she also cared for her soul and spirit. Dorina spent each Sunday bringing

Agnes communion, and provided sermons, scriptures, and praise and worship. Dorina often said, “you are my sister in Christ, Miss Mary, and one day, we are going to be in Heaven dancing and praising the Lord together”. And this message joyfully resounded until Agnes’s peaceful entry into Heaven’s gates.

In the tapestry of my mother’s life, she continuously used the threads of unwavering love and devotion to her family. Being steadfast as a pillar of strength and support, she was always there to lend a helping hand or offer words of wisdom. Her love knew no bounds, as she instilled values of faith, compassion, honor, resilience, and perseverance. Her legacy will be woven into the hearts of “her girls”, Cynthia & Rakiyah forever.

Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie Jones, Sr. and Mother Johnnie Mae Jones; her loving husband, Bobby Ray Harris; two brothers, Eddie Jones, Jr. and Earnest Jones.

Agnes leaves to cherish her memory: a loving and devoted daughter, Cynthia Harris Johnson of Vancouver, Washington; a lifelong son, Ozell Johnson of Severn, Maryland; her legacy through her only grandchild, Rakiyah Simone Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia; two brothers: Albert Lee Jones (Julie) of Clinton, Mississippi, Tommie Lee Jones (Bettye) of Jackson, Mississippi; one sister, Irene Hearns of Brooklyn, New York; brothers-in-law: Paul Edward Harris (Joyce) of Portland, Oregon; Edward McGowan, Sr. of Lawrence, Mississippi; sisters-in-law: Betty Jones of Jackson, Mississippi; Bobby Jean Greer (Willie) of Riverside, California; godson, Daryl Wooding of Birmingham, Alabama; and a host nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and special friends: Norma Broussard (Bruce), Sandra Eastland, and Pat and Otis Waters.

Funeral Services will be Live Streamed on Emmanuel Church's Facebook Page:    emmanuelpdx.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Agnes Harris, please visit our floral store.