Frances Delores Lyles-Harris

We rejoice in knowing that our beloved, mother, sister, and sister in law, Frances Delores Lyles-Harris, entered eternal peace November 11, 2020, with her family by her side. We thank God for her life and witness after a long and courageous battle with cancer, that she endured without complaint. Born May 26, 1940 in Jackson, MS, Frances was the first of five siblings born to the late Frank and Naomi Lyles. She graduated from Northeastern High School, in Detroit, MI. Upon graduation, Frances moved to San Diego, CA, where she met the love of her life, George William Harris. Frances and George were married, June 15, 1963. Their loving union was blessed with two children, Helen Elizabeth, and George William. Frances' amicable personality allowed her to travel the world and support George's 22-year Army career. She served the military alongside her husband, and despite numerous moves to Florida, Alabama, Germany, Texas, and California, she maintained lifelong friendships that spanned 70 years.


Frances had many interests and was phenomenal at anything she attempted. She was a stay at home mother until her children were in the 3rd and 2nd grades. She began her career at the Army and Airforce Exchange as manager in men's department. Her affinity to children, lead her to purse an early childhood education certification at Long Beach City College and become a Federation Head Start preschool teacher. Frances' greatest joy was becoming a grandmother to Naomi Joyce and George III. Frances was affectionally, known as Oma by her grandchildren, friends, and family. A friend to everyone, with compassion and a listening ear, Frances enjoyed telephone calls with family and friends, and loved encouraging and nurturing them through life's challenges. Frances loved gardening, reading, sewing, cooking delicious meals for her family, watching the Lakers and Detroit Piston basketball games with her husband, sending birthday cards to family and friends, playing cards and board games with her grandchildren, listening to music, taking long walks, attending church and serving on the Usher Board.


Frances dedicated her life to Christ at an early age in Detroit, MI at Greater Macedonia Baptist Church. She rededicated her life, along with her husband, at First Southern Baptist Church in Compton, CA. Frances was extremely devoted and active with her church and served as Senior Usher Board member and secretary and was a Sunday and Nursery School teacher. Frances' servant heart loved her church members, and she frequently drove elderly church members to and from Sunday services and Usher Board meetings. Frances was preceded in death by her husband Retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant George W. Harris, Sr. in 1999; Frances leaves to cherish her loving memory, her beloved children, Helen Harris-Allen (Irving, TX), George William Harris, Jr (Cypress, CA) ; son in law; Jerome Allen, daughter in law Maria Martinez-Harris, and precious grandchildren Naomi Joyce, and George Harris III. Siblings: Frank, James and Rochelle Lyles and a host of loving brothers and sisters in laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and church members who all rejoice in her homegoing.


Frances' remains will lie in repose, Tuesday, November 24, 2020, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at: Hope Christ Community Church, 1019 North Harris Avenue, Compton, CA 90221. Frances' burial will be private for immediate family only, at Forest Lawn-Long Beach. Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, we will rejoice in Frances' memory with friends and family, with memorials and celebration of her life in California, Alabama, and Texas. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be directed to the Harris Education Fund for Oma's grandchildren, Naomi Joyce Allen, and George Harris III. Harris Education Fund, P.O. Box 630712, Irving, TX 75063 Pall Bearers: Charles Jones, Jeremiah Adams, Curtis Alexander Harris, Oliver Nelson Harris, III, Alexander Harris, Jr., William Randolph Leyton Tolbert, III Honorary Pall Bearers: Earl Moore, Robert Gyles, Master Sergeant Darryl Lyles-Toye, Retired Sergeant Allen Bonds, Retired Sergeant Sydney Martin, Jr., Retired Captain Leonard Holden, Retired Sergeant John T. Marion, Rhitaro Harris and Shintaro Harris