Immediately Following Service
Kennesaw Memorial Park
1306 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064
Family and Friends
Family and Friends
(Author Unknown)
If roses grow in Heaven,
Lord please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my mother’s arms
And tell her they’re from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her, And when she turns to smile, Place a kiss upon her cheek
And hold her for a while.
The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to our family and friends for your love, prayers, kind words, and support during this difficult time. Your acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy have meant more than words can express, and we are truly grateful for the love and strength you have shared with us.
Historic West End Chapel
1003 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard Atlanta, Georgia 30310
404-758-1731
The K Effect, Print & Design, 678-732-5937
Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 11:00AM
800 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30314
Pastor Marcus Watkins, Eulogist
Mrs. Roxie Odessa Harris, also known as Foxy Roxie, was born on July 26, 1947, in Nashville, Tennessee. She was the second of four children and the daughter of the late Lorenzo and Mary Sue Frazier. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, July 5, 2025. She was 77 years old.
Roxie grew up in a close-knit family in Nashville, Tennessee, and graduated from Pearl High School in 1965. She then attended Tennessee State University (TSU), earning a Bachelor of Science in sociology. At 19, she met her future husband, Gilford E. Harris, a fellow TSU student, and they married two years later, on July 28, 1968. Their marriage lasted for 56 years, until Roxie’s death.
Roxie’s first professional job was as a telephone operator at Southern Bell, where she worked while putting herself through college. She went on to work for BellSouth and AT&T for over 30 years in customer service before retiring. After that, she worked for the Cobb County School District and at Carmax, and officially retired.
Roxie and Gilford have been committed members of Simpson Street Church of Christ for nearly 40 years. Roxie was a Sunday School teacher, spreading joy, compassion, and lessons about God and Jesus to hundreds of children. She and Gilford raised their daughters at Simpson Street, which helped to ground the family in love and commitment to Jesus' teachings.
Roxie always embodied what it meant to be a dignified, classy, and yes, foxy lady. She was also a force to be reckoned with, and many have been on the receiving end of one of her infamous stare-downs when she thought you were doing something uncouth or unwise. She knew how to steer all of us onto the path of righteousness when we deviated from her high expectations!
All kidding aside, Roxie was a role model for her daughters, nieces, and co-workers. Roxie also had a deep love for her family, including her three grandsons and granddaughter. She loved traveling to Albuquerque with Gilford to visit her grandsons and enjoyed spending time with her young granddaughter, cooking her favorite meals, and painting her nails. She loved listening to Motown music, especially Jackie Wilson, Smokey Robinson, and Diana Ross. And contrary to some family members' belief, she was an excellent cook and baker, with her caramel icing-covered pound cakes being a very popular request.
Roxie was a mix of sophistication and warmth. She understood her responsibilities as a wife and mother while also being a career woman, deftly balancing the needs of her job and her family. She was the consummate professional in every situation while also creating a home where her children were a top priority. She would drop everything to stay home with a sick child, attend a parent/teacher conference, or participate in one of her daughters' many extracurricular activities. Her attention to detail was evident in how spic and span she kept her house, and how tastefully decorated her home was. And Miss Roxie did not play about her looks! She was always so polished and put together.
It would be remiss not to mention Roxie and Gilford's long-lasting love story. They were true examples of a Godordained marriage built on trust, companionship, and commitment. They were each other’s best friends.
Roxie is survived by her husband, Gilford Harris, her two daughters, Leslie (Larry) O’Hanlon and Dr. Callie (Harold Foley) Harris; four grandchildren, Elijah, Walker, Joseph, and Briella; siblings; Patricia Moreland, Scottie Frazier, and Joe Frazier; and a host of nieces, a nephew, cousins, other relatives and friends.
In closing, most of you know that Roxie had battled dementia for a couple of years and recently succumbed to the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over six million people have dementia. Among older adults, it is the 7th leading cause of death and a major cause of disability and dependence globally. Though we are heartbroken by Miss Roxie’s passing, we hope her transition will help raise awareness about dementia, with the hope that someday we will find a cure for this disease.
Thank you for all your love and support.
Celebration of Life for Roxie Harris
Prelude ........... “No Tears in Heaven” .. ................Minister Willie Bradshaw
Processional...........................................Marcus T. Watkins, Senior Minister
Congregational Hymn | "His Grace Reaches Me”
Minister Willie Bradshaw
Scripture Readings ........................................................Elder Tyree Bernard
Old Testament.................................................................. Psalm 23:1-6
New Testament................................................ 1Thessilonans 4:13-14
Prayer of Comfort ....................................................................Edward Outler
Solo | “Precious Lord”
Gloria Watkins & Portia Yarbrough
Special Reflections
Patricia Harris
Scottie Frazier
Family and Friends (Two minutes, please)
Congregational Hymn “Blessed Assurance”
Minister Willie Bradshaw
Obituary (Read Silently).....................................................................Soft Music
Solo | “Amazing Grace”
Minister Steve Ludy
Eulogy .......................................................Marcus T. Watkins, Senior Minister
Congregational Hymn | ”Hard Fighting Soldier”
Valentino Bates
Moment of Gratitude (Daughters)
Dr. Callie Harris and Leslie O’Hanlon
Acknowledgements ..............................Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home
Recessional ...... “ Mansion Robe and Crown” .....Minister Willie Bradshaw
Postlude
