Funeral services were held January 8, 2014, at Sweetwater CME Church for Mrs. Vera Mae Carter Harris, age 90, who died December 30 in Chicago, Illinois. Rev. Earnest Lee Thompson officiated with interment following in the church cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Vera Mae Carter was born in Bassfield, Mississippi, to the late Wince and Ada Carter. She was the eighth child of nine who preceded her in death, Mitchell Carter, Matilda Carter Payton, Molly Carter Walker, Johnnie Carter, Ruth Carter, Woodrow Carter, Jessie Ruth Carter Griffin and Era Mae Carter.

She was married to the late James Harris. She attended Forrest County Training H.S. and graduated in 1945. From there, she attended Chicago City Junior College, graduating in 1965, then attending Chicago State College and gradauted in 1967. After receiving her undergraduate she attended Governor State University where she received her Master’s degree in Education, becoming one of the first black educators at Nickson Elelmentary School located on the North Side of Chicago. Mrs. Harris retired from the Chicago Public schools and was working on her PHD at the time.

She was a member of Lena A. Hamlett CME Church where she became one of the first charter members. She served on the steward board as chairman and treasurer for a number of years.  She was also a Sunday school teacher and local lay leader. Mrs. Harris became the first female president for the Chicago District Lay.

She is survived by nieces, nephews and relatives.