Obituary of Mary Louise Harris

Mary Louise (Williams) Harris, 92, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 28, 2020. Born August 20, 1927 in Austin, Texas, Mary was one of 8 children of Van Williams and Ethel (Connor) Williams. Mary, affectionately known as "Babe" by her siblings, nieces and nephews, was an avid reader and loved to sit by the Detroit River, either on the Riverwalk or on Belle Isle, and watch the boats and ships pass by. She was a huge lover of jazz music, particularly Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Sarah Vaughn, and amassed a large collection of albums over the years. She was also the singer in a jazz band back in high school in Austin. She learned flower arranging and matt frame making from Wayne County Community College. Mary worked at RS Electronics in Livonia until the early 1990s. A cancer survivor, she retired early to start another chapter of her life which included going back to school and enjoying her family. She was especially fond of spending the day with a loved one, including shopping and dining out. Mary leaves behind two children from her first marriage to the late Roy Owens, from Texas; son Kenneth Van Owens along with his daughters Barbara, Kenndal, Natalie and Karen; daughter Evelyn Jo (Owens) Smith and her sons Virgil Kai and Adam. Her daughter, Priscilla Elaine (Owens) Whiteside preceded her in death as did two of Priscillas children,Marlowe Mabry and Tina Whiteside. . She has a remaining daughter Nicole Whiteside. Mary also leaves behind a daughter from her second marriage to the late Avner Benton, Sherry (Benton) Elam and a son in law, Timothy W. Elam. She has one surviving sister, Margaret Loggins. There are also numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and long time friends whom she leaves behind. Mary was a kind, giving and thoughtful person who will be greatly missed by those she loved. Please sign Mary's guestbook.