Obituary of Charlesetta Harris

Charlesetta Franks Harris was born on June 13, 1941, in Earle, Arkansas to Ed and Ruth Edwards Franks. She was the fifth of eleven children. Her parents, five sisters, five brothers, husband Will H. Harris, and her only dear son, Romeral Harris, Sr. (Romie) preceded her in death. Charlesetta was a spirited youth who enjoyed going to school and regularly attending services at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Hayti, Missouri, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She graduated from Central High School in 1959 and shortly thereafter moved to Chicago, Illinois. On August 8, 1966, Charlesetta married Will H. Harris. They raised four children, Yolanda, Angela, Lisha, and “Romie”. Charlesetta worked several years with GTE Electric before taking a position with Vistar Auto Glass, where she remained employed for twenty-one years. In 2011, she retired from Community Mental Health after six years of service. Charlesetta became a member of Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church and served on the Usher Board and as a Sunday School Teacher. Her devout faith in God remained constant throughout her life. In 2018 she relocated to Iowa City, Iowa and became a member of The Purpose Place, where she was affectionately known as “Mother”. Charlesetta cherished her family and enjoyed spending quality time with her siblings in their beloved hometown, Hayti. They would regularly travel to Hayti for summer family reunions. Her love for Hayti was evident in her passion and support of the Hayti Central School Parent Chapter and the Hayti Central Alumni Association Chicago Chapter #1. She held executive offices in both chapters and regularly attended the Hayti Central School Class Reunions. Charlesetta enjoyed cooking, playing Tunk, bowling, and decorating for Christmas, her favorite holiday. Above all she enjoyed quality time spent with her family. On March 18, 2023, at her home surrounded with family, Charlesetta was called home for eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her loving memory her brother, Lemorn Franks of Baltimore, Maryland; daughters, Yolanda Harris, Lisha Harris, and Angela (Charles) Woods; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends. Funeral Services will be at Noon, Saturday, April 1 at The Purpose Place Church (611 Southgate Avenue, Iowa City), with a time of visitation from 11 am until the service.