Ms. Dianne Harris

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Born on May 31, 1949, to the late Bertha M. Horton, Dianne was the fourth child out of five children. Her mother placed her name on the United House of Prayer for All People roll at an early age in Jamaica, New York. Dianne had an old soul, she exhibited wisdom at an early age. Our founding bishop, Charles Emmanuel “Sweet Daddy” Grace called her 49, this was in direct relation of her wisdom. Whenever he visited Jamaica, New York, he would ask “where is 49?” He would sit Dianne on his knee while he talked to the children and members of Jamaica, House of Prayer. Everything that Dianne did she gave it her all, even when it came to partying (which she did a lot of during her young adult life with her best friend Beverly- friend for over 54 years). She left that life behind when she decided to live for Christ, she received the gift of the holy ghost in the early 80’s. Dianne’s work in the House of Prayer started when she relocated to Winston-Salem, North Carolina (following behind her sister Jean) August 30, 1980. Dianne held the position of General Secretary under the pastorship of the late Apt. James Harris III, she held that position for 25 years (with a spot free record). Additionally, she served on the Young Adult Queen board, sang on the McCullough “Angels” choir and the Adult choir. She served on the Adult Queen board until her health failed. She was faithful in all things until her end. Dianne’s professional career started after her education and graduation from the public school system in Jamaica, New York. She worked at New York Life Insurance Company for a short period until she landed a job with Honeywell, where she worked as a team leader in the payroll department before earning the position of supervisor of payroll. After many years working for Honeywell, she retired before relocating to North Carolina. Once in North Carolina, she worked at Wachovia Bank and Trust (before Wells Fargo acquisition) for a period of time before moving on to the Levolor company where she worked as a customer service representative until her 2nd retirement in the late 1990’s. Dianne loved to travel, if her friends weren’t able to join her, she would go alone. She traveled to many places, but I think her favorite was her flight to heaven on September 16, 2024. Dianne leaves to cherish her memories: her older sister- Sandra “Jean” Witherspoon (Snellville, GA), her oldest niece (reared up as her sister) – Terry H. Smallhorne (Andrew) (Pembroke Pines, Fl), 2 bonus sisters: Beverly Murphy (friend for over 54 yrs -Flushing, NY) and Katrina Grier (friend for over 44 yrs – Charlotte, NC), Nieces: – Diana Miller (Cecil) (Suffolk, VA), Katrina Wideman (Roger) and Barbara Witherspoon (both of Winston-Salem, NC), 4 bonus nieces – Towanna VanEaton (Winston-Salem, NC), Dina Woodruff, and Atonia Mixon (both of Salisbury, NC), and Jasmine Woodruff (Greensboro, NC). Nephews: - Jermel Witherspoon (Kenisha), Sterling Sherrill (both of Winston-Salem, NC), Tyler Smallhorne (Pembroke Pines, Fl), Christian Miller (Snellville, GA), Jonathan Baham, Jabriel Baham, Justin Baham, Jayden Sherrill, Savion Sherrill (all of Winston-Salem, NC), and Ryan Wideman (Greensboro, NC). Bonus nephew: James Woodruff (Suffolk, VA) Godson: Antoine Murphy (New York). Goddaughter: Toviea Grier-Elder (Charlotte, NC), Great nieces: Amari Witherspoon, Serenity Sherrill, Jaliyah Baham (all of Winston-Salem, NC), and Chiara Pickens (South Carolina). A loving aunt: Bobbie J. Torbit, 3 close cousins: Sammie L. Torbit, Cheryl Ann Torbit, Cassandra L. Torbit (all of Winston-Salem, NC), plus a host of other relatives and friends. To know Dianne was to love her. Her smile and beautiful voice will be greatly missed here on earth, but I know that she’s singing in the heavenly choir. Sing on my sweet sister, you are no longer bound by your sickness. A public viewing will be held Friday September 27, 2024, from 1pm until 5pm at Douthit's. Funeral services will be held Saturday September 28, 2024, at 12pm from United House of Prayer for All People. The family will receive friends at 11:30am at the church. Interment will follow Monday September 30, 2024, at 12pm in Forest Hill Cemetry in Rock Hill, South Carolina,

Tributes

Ms. Dianne Harris

May 31, 1949 - September 18, 2024