Mrs. Bertha Jean Stewart-Harris

***A VISITATION & FUNERAL SERVICE IN LOVING MEMORY FOR MRS. BERTHA JEAN STEWART-HARRIS WILL BE HELD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, AT VALLEY FAMILY CHURCH IN KALAMAZOO. ****PLEASE SEE THE PUBLIC VISITATION AND SERVICE TIMES AND LOCATION WHICH ARE LISTED BELOW**** *****PLEASE NOTE: MASKS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. THE CHURCH WILL PROVIDE HAND SANITIZER WHEN ENTERING THE BUILDING. If you have any questions, please contact us at: (269) 342-1000 ______________________________________________ OBITUARY November 26, 1948, a bouncing baby girl entered the earth with a mission. By age 8, she would know what her mission was and from that time on, with hills and valleys, she marched forward with her mission in heart. Inspired by Florence Nightingale, Dr. Bertha Jean Stewart-Harris achieved her nursing degree in 1968 and went on to achieve her Registered Nurse licensure, bachelor’s degree in nursing-board certified, master’s degree in organizational management and a PhD in Leadership with a published dissertation in the National Library of Congress. Academically, she soared to heights beyond her imagination. Professionally, she would inspire hundreds if not thousands of people. She broke through countless ceilings to become the first Black female evening administrator at a major hospital and then on to several professional roles that focused on quality, excellence, and safe healthcare services. From creating the first Parish Nurse program in a major hospital in Kalamazoo to serving as a public servant commissioner, to leading the first Gerontology in Nursing certification program to personally serving hundreds of Kalamazoo residents as their health advocate, Dr. Stewart-Harris led an active life. In her most recent role as a Quality Nurse Specialist with Battle Creek VA Medical Center, she ensured that veterans received consistently high-quality healthcare services with dignity and respect. Even when on vacation with her family, if she witnessed a car accident or a person in distress, she would be the first on the scene to assist with stabilizing and saving people. Up to her transition, she inspired and ignited the “can do with Christ” attitude in anyone who was willing to know her story. Aside from all of her academic and professional accomplishments, Dr. Stewart-Harris’ highest achievements was with mothering not two, not four, but six daughters! she also gained two more for a grand total of eight daughters! All these daughters have subsequently led to nine grandchildren, and one great grandson. Until the day of her transition, Dr. Stewart-Harris faithfully joined her daughters for 6:00 a.m. prayer. In the evenings, she and her husband virtually attended family Bible study and prayer with their daughters. An ardent bible scholar, Sunday School teacher, and Parish Nurse, she committed to living out the lessons she taught. Dr. Stewart-Harris loved God, she loved her family, and she loved people. She didn’t believe in retirement and would often say that the word “retirement” wasn’t in the Bible. Every moment she could, she would teach, demonstrate, and give her best to anyone. As a volunteer with her home church, Valley Family Church, she along with her husband, Mark, welcomed attendees and members on Sunday mornings with flavor and style. Out of all her roles and titles, Dr. Stewart-Harris wanted others to know that she was first and foremost a child of God. She gave her life to Christ at an early age and kept her relationship with Him at the forefront throughout her life. To her, nothing mattered if she didn’t have a personal relationship with Christ as her Lord and Savior. On September 16, 2024, Dr. Bertha Jean Stewart-Harris answered the call to complete her final promotion and return to her heavenly home-base. Dr. Bertha was preceded in death by her mother and father, Robert D. and Lucinda Stewart, Booker T. Newsome (brother), Rosie L. Montgomery (sister), Florida Moore (aunt), and Buckner T. Green (uncle). She leaves to treasure her memories: her loving husband, Mark Richard Harris, her daughters Sharon (Leslie) White, Priscillia (Rosby) James-Lee, Cythnia (Sonny) James-Martinez, Trauna James, Mona Lisa (Anthony) Watson, Jasmine (Phil) Gist; daughters by marriage, Alanna Harris and Lekisha (Nicholas) Vassel; her grandchildren Alexander (Makenzie), Michaela, Mackenzie, Kerrigan, Makari, Reina, Mia, Ana, Nicholas Jr. and great-grandson Edwin (aka Tre); her brother Jerry L. Stewart, brother- in- love Rev. Dan Montgomery, Bonus brother, Maurice Harley, bonus sisters, Dorothy Whitten and Minister Bertha Morgan; bonus son Rev. Kevin E. Wright, bonus daughter Yasma Daniels, and a host of nieces, great- nieces, nephews, great- nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues. During her last message at a family gathering, she repeated the same message as she had through the years; “Get to know GOD and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” Dr. Stewart-Harris will be missed by many. Her entire life is too momentous to cover in this text; but if we could, it would take an eternity and more pages than we have trees. Although her departure from us was immediate, she lived a lifetime of being an example for us to follow. In the words of one of her favorite biblical letters from Paul to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7). Well-done Dr. Stewart-Harris. Well-done Jean. Well-done Grandma. Well-done Me-Ma. Well-done daughter of the Most High. Mission accomplished, you have been promoted!

Mrs. Bertha Jean Stewart-Harris

November 26, 1948 - September 16, 2024