FRANCES DELIA FRIERSON HARRIS

Frances Delia Frierson Harris, the second of six children born to the late Joe Benjamin Jr. and Cordelia L. Frierson in Sumter, South Carolina, was born on July 4, 1939. She transitioned on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, after a lifetime of service as an educator through the public school system, her church and her community. She met her husband, the late Walden Harris, in Sumter, where they were married for 37 years and the parents of one child.

She was educated in the Sumter County public school system, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1956. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Science Education from Allen University, Columbia, in 1960, graduating with honors. She began her professional teaching career at Blackville High School in Blackville, South Carolina. She moved on to teach at the high school in Scotts Branch, South Carolina, and then on to Manchester High School in Summerton, South Carolina. In 1972, she transferred to Furman High School, where she spent the majority of her teaching career, from whence she retired.

Frances practiced this same “servant-leader” work ethic within her church and community. She and her husband joined Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, her mother’s church, where she served in formal and informal roles including president of Mt. Zion’s United Methodist Women, chairperson of the Nurture & Membership Committee and a longstanding Sunday School teacher.

Left to cherish memories of her life, legacy and love are her son, Shawn (Katrina) Harris, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Furman (High) Middle School, 3400 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, with the Rev. James C. Lane, officiating, and the Rev. Troy J. Cato, pastor of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, eulogist.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 835 Torrey Pines Drive, Sumter.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.