Doris Majura Harris

Doris "Dot" Harris was born in Lexington (Rockbridge County), Virginia, to the late James Austin Harris and Kathryn Silvey Harris.

At a very early age, she made her confession of faith in Christ at the Randolph Street A.M.E. Church in Lexington, Virginia. Her service included participation in the Methodist Youth Fellowship and Youth and Senior Choirs, where she was a pianist and Sunday School Teacher.

Doris attended the historic Lylburn Downing School in Lexington, Virginia, for African American and Native American students before attending college at West Virginia State University Institute. She also attended the University of Cincinnati (College of Education) and Cincinnati Courter Technical School, earning certifications in Medical Records and Phlebotomy.

She met her future husband Frank Henry Harris while attending West Virginia State University and was united in holy matrimony on July 22, 1950, at the home of her brother (James Leonard Harris) and sister-in-law (Barbara Bush Harris) in Charleston, West Virginia.

Doris and Frank moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and their union produced 4 children.
Doris joined Bethel A.M.E. Church in Lockland, Ohio, in 1955. Her participation included service as a Sunday School Teacher, Allegro Choir member, and Usher Board member for the ministry.

Later, she was a member of Jerrell Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and served on the Usher Board and as Secretary of the Cheer Fund (Get Well) Committee.

Doris was a member of the African American fraternal benefit society Morning Star Court N. 50 (Grand Court Order of Calanthe).

In 1961, Doris, her husband Frank, and children moved to the suburb of Silverton in Cincinnati (Hamilton County), Ohio, and were one of the first African American families to integrate the neighborhood.

Her civic service included Democratic Chairman of Precincts for the City of Silverton and membership in the Fordham Woods Neighborhood Association. Doris was also a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts of America, President of the Parents Auxiliary for the Kennedy Heights/Silverton branch of the Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the Unique Social Club as its Cheer Fund Chairman.

Doris was the 1st Vice President of the Parent Teacher Association at Silverton Elementary School and Legislation Chairman of the PTA for 2 years. She was also Chairman of the school's After-School Dance Program for Youth.

After raising her family, Doris worked as a substitute teacher in the City of Newport, Kentucky's Public School System. She also worked for the Cincinnati Recreation Commission as a Program Director with an emphasis on Art Education and Ceramics (Certified Instructor) until she retired in 2006. Doris leaves behind sons Frank Czarny of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Robin Harris of Westerville, Ohio; five grandchildren, Lauren Harris-Sullinger (Julian "Jules"), Mark Harris (Ciara "Coco"), Christopher Harris, Jared Harris, and Arianna Harris; three great-grandchildren, Joelle, Sofia and Trace Harris; as well as a host of additional relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Frank Henry Harris; father, James Austin Harris; mother, Kathryn Silvey Harris; brothers James Leonard Harris (Barbara Bush), Thomas Harris (Constance "Connie" Carter), Earnest Harris, and Carther Lewis Harris ("Minnie"); brothers-in-law Paul Harris and Neal Harris (Beulah); and sisters-in-law Mary and CreZella.