Effie Mae Harris

Effie Mae Harris (Sista) was born on February 22, 1947, in Lumpkin, Georgia to the late Frank and Alma Berry. She departed this life on April 26, 2026.

Effie was introduced to Christ at an early age by her maternal grandparents, Willie and Eldora Callaway. She was baptized in the creek at Mt. Airy Missionary Baptist Church in Lumpkin, Georgia. After moving to Cincinnati, she joined Friendship Baptist Church which was originally located on Sinton and Nassau in Walnut Hills under the late Rev. Harvey Binford. She later followed the church to its location on Reading Rd. in Avondale under Rev. H.L. Harvey Jr. At the time of her departure she was a member of the City of Promise under Bishop Dr. Gary G. Hayles and Pastor Andrea A. Hayles.

Effie attended Stewart County Public Schools and graduated from Lumpkin High School in 1964. Upon graduation, she attended the Historically Black College and University, Albany State University. She later attended the University of Cincinnati as well as Xavier University.

Effie began her career as a substitute teacher, specializing in English with the Cincinnati Public School System in the mid '70s. In earlier years she could be found at Roselawn Elementary School volunteering in the classrooms or on field trips. She had her own “No Child Left Behind” campaign for she would always box extra lunches knowing some children didn’t have anything or enough to eat. She later transitioned to a position as a Transit Operator for Queen City Metro. At the time of her hire in 1979, she was one of only a handful of women operators.

In 1970 Effie met, and subsequently married Melvin E. Harris. To this union their proudest achievements occurred; Effie gained two children, Pamela and Marlin before later giving birth to Diedre and Demetrious.

Effie loved her children and she often would say “If you want to stir in my grits, mess with one of my kids”. The Harris home located in Roselawn quickly became the center of Shenandoah Avenue. Whether nieces, nephews, cousins, or the children in the neighborhood, her home was the place to be.

She referred to all the children as “her babies”. One of her primary hobbies was “feeding” people, continuing the legacy of her mother and grandmother. The act of feeding was physical and spiritual. Some people called her “Sista”, or “Aunt Sista”, while others called her “Mrs. Harris” or “MaaMa”. Regardless of what she was called, they knew her home was a safe space.

Effie spent her retirement years raising her bonus children, Markeith Green, Willie and Frank Jones. In 2002, God gave her the center of her world, her youngest granddaughter, Kamille. Her entire days were spent finding ways to cater to her. Anything Kamille wanted, Kamille got! Once Kamille started preschool at Xavier Montessori, Effie spent her days volunteering. She helped at St Francis De Sales Elementary, where Frank attended, and then later at St. Gabriel Consolidated School, where Kamille attended.

Effie is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; grandson Ahmad Harris; her travel buddies and sisters-in-law, Lillian Smoot and Ruth Lake; brother-in-law Junius Washington; nephews Darrius Washington, Kenneth Harris, Robert Smoot II, and dear friend Helen Johnson.

Effie leaves to celebrate her life: her children Diedre E. Harris, Tony L. Lovett, Demetrious A. Harris, Linda Weeden-Harris, Marlin D. Harris, Angela C. Harris, and Frank P. Jones all of Cincinnati, OH, Pamela D. Harris of Orlando, FL; bonus children Markeith C. Green and Willie R. Jones of Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren Kamya Powell (Mike) of Orlando, FL, Justin B. Harris, Jordan A. Harris, Jazmin E. Harris Nixon (Anthony), Christopher E. Harris, Kamille C. Harris; bonus grandchildren Zaiden, La'Niyah, and Jalayah; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters Mary J. Kemp and Joyce Berry; brothers Robert Berry and John Berry; Aunts Mildred Gibson and Eva C. Johnson; nieces and nephews Lynda Martin, Sherri Gibson, Sheila Smoot, Patricia Lewis, Karen Heidenreich, Vanessa Johnson (Mike), Junius Washington (Lisa) and Alpha Washington; long time neighbor and friend Mrs. Moseley; her COP family, family, bonus family and friends.

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