Shauna Harris

Shauna Lettee Harris was born August 17, 1977 to Garrett and Janice M. Harris of Staten Island, New York.  She passed away unexpectedly at home on November 21, 2018, Thanksgiving Eve. 

At the age of 11, Shauna moved  with her family to Tazewell, Virginia. She remained in Virginia until she graduated from Tazewell High School.  Following graduation, Shauna attended Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee for two years.  She later transferred to East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where she graduated with a Double Major in Public Communication and Spanish. Shauna was active in college life, she enjoyed cheerleading and was a member of various clubs on and off campus.  One of her real passions was her membership in a group “Paying it Forward,” as a community volunteer she worked with teams to help restore old buildings in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Although she was a college graduate, she enjoyed working with people and worked for many years in the restaurant industry.  The Olive Garden was one of her favorite places of employment.  She would tell you, that she enjoyed working at the Olive Garden because she wasn’t a morning person, she could work the late shift and it allowed her to meet so many different people from so many different places and the conversations were great.  She also worked as the Assistant to the Director of Multicultural affairs at ETSU, after graduation. In that capacity, Shauna utilized her communications skills to plan, coordinate and sponsor cultural diverse activities for the University and its students.  In January 2014, she relocated back to Staten Island and was employed at The African Refuge as a Program Aide.   Her work with  young people brought her so much joy and happiness.  Her expertise in Communication resulted in her home church, Bethel Community, 51 Van Duzer employing her as The Multi Media Technician.

Shauna accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized at First Central Baptist Church.  As a youth, Shauna was a member of the young missionaries, youth ushers, God’s Youth and Young Adult Organization (GYO) and sang on the children’s choir. She later became a member of Central Light Outreach Ministry, Tazewell, VA. As a college student in Greenville, Tennessee, she was rebaptized, which was witnessed by family members and friends.  She was an active member of Bethel Community Church until the Lord called her home.

Shauna loved life, people, singing and dancing. She was able to light up any room with her smile and warm personality.  She was a person of faith and struggle.  She has now become a beautiful butterfly, flying free and carefree. She will be missed by many.

Shauna leaves to mourn her loss her fiancé, Mr. Oscar Joe Dodson, her parents Mr. Garrett Harris and Rev. Dr. Janice M. Harris, all of Staten Island, New York.  One brother, Marcus Waters and wife, Betty of Jamesburg, New Jersey, two sisters, Tonia Harris and husband, Lamar Harris, Gastonia, North Carolina and Janetta D. Harris of Richlands, Virginia. Shauna has 9 nieces and nephews and 3 great nieces.  She is the Godmother of Liam and Cole Harris, the God Sister of Avilla Cockrell-Bright (Adam), Staten Island, New York and Princessa Harville of East Orange, New Jersey.  Two special cousins Susie Davis and LeeAnn Davis-Yates (Tony), Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  Shauna leaves to mourn many relatives and friends.

Services will be held Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Fellowship Baptist Church, 3036 Richmond Terrace Staten Island, New York with the wake service being 4 P.M. until 6 P.M.  The Homegoing service will be from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M.  with Bishop Calvin Rice Officiating.   The Repast will follow the service at 8 P.M.

Burial will take place at Frederick Douglas Cemetery Monday, December 3, 2018 at 11 A.M.  The family with gather at the Fellowship Church at 10:30 A.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shauna Harris, please visit our floral store.