Ella Mae (Martin) Harris

Ella Mae Harris, 90.  Of East Moline passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at her home. 

Funeral services will be 12:00 p.m. Friday June 13, 2025 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Missionary Church, East Moline, Illinois.  Burial will be at Hampton Township Cemetery.  Rev. P. Wonder Harris will officiate.  Visitation will be two hours prior to services at the church.  Memorials may be made to the family.

Ella was the daughter of Samuel and Bessie (Kirk) Martin.  She was born in Tyronza, AR, and resided in East Moline, IL.  Ella received Christ and she was baptized at a young age.  She and her siblings formed a Gospel group and sang at various venues.  In 1979, she joined Mt. Zion Baptist Missionary Church in East Moline where she sang in the Gospel choir in her earlier years.  Ella married Jake Harris on December 29, 1955 in Marion, AR.  From that union, seven children were born.  She was a homemaker; she opened her heart and home to many.  Ella was a mother to all.  She was gifted in singing and cooking.  All who knew her can attest to the quality of both.  Ella provided a safe place to be.  We will all remember “Momma’s Room”.

Those left to cherish her memory include sons,  Lee Thomas and Dale Harris of East Moline, IL Russell Harris of Marietta, GA, LeeVon Harris of Carbon Cliff, IL; daughters Pearl Shelton of East Moline, IL and Bessie Harris (Burley) of Silvis, IL; two nieces she reared, Cassandra Clay of Lorton,  VA and Daisy Martin of Rock Island, IL; sisters, Samella Campbell of Silvis, IL and Lucretia Donelson of Moline, IL; 25 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and other nieces and nephews. 

Loved ones preceded by her include her parents, Samuel and Bessie (Kirk) Martin, her husband, Jake Harris, her son, Jerry Harris, and her daughter, Turetha Harris, her brothers, Samuel Jr., Lewis, Russell, and Joe Martin; her sisters, Mamie Delaney, Annie Burnett, Betty and Sally Mae Martin.  

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