Lula Venette Blackwell Harris

Lula Venette Blackwell Harris, affectionately known as ""Nana"" and ""Lulu"", was born on September 5, 1932, in Melvin, Oklahoma to Rueben and Lavada Annette Thomas Blackwell. She was the fifth of seven children. At age 16, Lula graduated from Lincoln High School in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. The family later moved to Wagoner, Oklahoma. She accepted Christ at an early age.

After high school graduation Lula moved to Independence, Missouri to live with an older sister and attend college. It was there, she met the love of her life and future husband Robert Herson Harris Sr. They united in marriage on December 4, 1953. They were married for forty-six years until Robert passed away in May 2000. In 1953, they relocated to Los Angeles, California where Murial Elise and Robert Herson Jr. were born.

Lula attended and graduated from cosmetology school in Los Angeles. After graduation she opened a beauty shop in her home. She later owned and operated a beauty salon for five years in Los Angeles. In 1965, the shop was closed, and the family relocated to Altadena, California. Lula was a member of First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Pasadena. On Palm Street is where lifelong friendships, traveling companions and sister girl relationships were formed. She began babysitting the neighborhood children. When her children got older she began a career as preschool teacher at the Neighborhood House in Pasadena, where she forged lifelong relationships.

Lula and Robert retired to Henderson, Nevada in December 1986. Lula and Robert became members of First AME Church North Las Vegas. They enjoyed traveling, playing bid whist, entertaining and cooking for friends and relatives who could not leave her home without eating, and spending time with their grandchildren. She volunteered at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in the gift shop, and babysat again for a select few.

In November 2002, Lula became a member of Fountain Of Hope AME Church. She was appointed a Steward in 2004 and 2005, to serve as God's Faithful Servant. She served as a loyal member of the Bettye J. Allen Women's Missionary Society for many years. Lula was also a member and Assistant Secretary of the Adult Usher Board. In 2014, Lula, with several of her sisters in Christ, were led by the Lord to serve a monthly meal to the hungry. This ministry became known as the Stephen Ministry. It evolved from a monthly feeding to a weekly food bank. Until September 2017, Lula was President of the Stephen Ministry. In June 2017, Pastor Gregory K. McLeod presented Lula with the Warrior for Christ Award. She truly loved her church.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Robert H. Harris, Sr., three brothers and three sisters. She leaves mourning her passing and cherishing her memory, her daughter Muriel; son Robert Jr.; brother in law Samuel A. Harris, Sr; grandchildren Kaara, Rasheda, Justin, Megan, Kourtni, and Kierstyn; great grandchildren, Kamryn Bryce, Kalib, Brent and Layla; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Service

Fountain Of Hope
2955 East Russell Road
Las Vegas, NV  89120
Saturday, December 9, 2017
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Davis Funeral Home & Memorial Park
6200 South Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas, NV  89119