Lorane M. Harris

Lorane M. Harris, born in 1925 on Lower River Road and a lifelong resident of Bradley County, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, June 16, 2013, with her family nearby. She married Alvin J. (Cotton) Harris in 1942 and joined her new husband in Annapolis, Maryland, where he was posted to the Navy during World War II. During that time, she served as file clerk and typist for the Commandant of Midshipmen in Bancroft Hall of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the first female ever to fill this position. She later served as part-time bookkeeper for Al Harris Motors for many years. She was a member of North Cleveland Baptist Church for more than 66 years, where she was the youngest mother in church on Mother's Day, 1947. She was a passionate teacher of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, leader of GA groups and all round church volunteer. Her highest calling was wife and mom and she did both so very well. She and Alvin celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on September 26, 2012. Lorane was daughter of the late Gilbert and Mae Weir Matthews. She was also preceded in death by her siblings: Roy Matthews, Jack Matthews, and Mary Murphy; her sister-in-law, Imogene Matthews and brother-in-law, Fred Murphy. She is survived by her husband, Alvin; her son, Gary Harris and his wife Kathleen; her daughter Phyllis and her husband Bruce Tilden; her sister, Oma Lee Odom; and step-grandchildren: Wendi Tilden and Craig Tilden. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at North Cleveland Baptist Church with Dr. Jay McCluskey officiating. Interment will follow in Eastview Baptist Church Cemetery in No Pone Valley. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. Her family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at Fike Funeral Home and from 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the church. The family suggests that memorials may be made to the North Cleveland Baptist Church, 2815 North Ocoee St., Cleveland, TN 37311 We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Harris family guestbook at www.fikefh.com