Obituary

On Wednesday October 15, 2014 God extended his hand and took Odessa Harris-Whittington home

Sister or Dess as she was affectionately known by her  family, was born on October 1, 1944 in Itty Bitty Mississippi. Born the daughter of Frank Norris Sr. and Albertha Norris-Staten (Honey).

Sister was educated in the Howard County Public School System, where she graduated and received her High School Diploma. From that moment on the world had a definite force to be reckoned with and  everyone who had the pleasure of crossing her path knew that and loved every moment of it.

Family and Friends were Sister's passion and Joy. She always said that one of God's most cherished blessings to her, though there were so many, was being the mom to her children, Barry Clifton Harris, Jr., Charles Anthony Harris, Wanda Rene Harris- Mitz and Dominic Pope.

She created a circle of love no matter where she went with her sincerity, love of life, and nurturing spirit! If you were loved by her you knew it in many ways, but one way in particular was her  sharing her astounding cooking. She was definitely known for her famous barbeque pig feet, shrimp salad, turkey wings and corn and yet but not least, her delicious dirt cake.  The 2 ^nd would be her going upside your head and telling you when you were not right and you better not act like you were mad about it when she did it either!

After 30 years of devoted service to the Baltimore City Health Department as an Office Clerk, in the Druid Health  STD Clinic located at 1515 W. North Avenue Odessa decided to retire.  Being as passionate about life as she was, Sister knew that just sitting around doing nothing was not on her itinerary.  Therefore, she   became a part time employee for Johns Hopkins HIV Outreach  Program where she remained until her departure of this Life.

Odessa was one (1) of seven (7) children and the only girl. She was proceeded in death by five (5) brother's, Leroy Norris, William Staten, James Bass, Robert Norris and Frank Norris, Jr. She was also proceeded in death by two (2) of her son's, Barry Clifton Harris, Jr. and Charles Anthony Harris.

Odessa's legacy will continue through her loving daughter's, Wanda Rene Mitz, Maria Clayton, Nicole and Andrea Whittington; Son's, Dominic Pope, Morris and Maurice Whittington Jr., Sean Tolson and Lohnny Mitz (son-in-law); Doting brother, Raymond Staten, Sr. and Carol Staten (sister- in-law); grandchildren, Shakina Jones, Barry Clifton Harris Jr., Charles Anthony Harris Jr., Kyona Harris-Johnson, Jeffery Cox Jr., Juwan Michael Smith, Charnice Harris, Shawna Lana Harris, Lamont Barry Cox; great grand kids, nieces, nephews  and a host of other family and friends, and we must not forget her special friend De' Shon "Big Sexy" Clark!

Lovingly Submitted,

The Family