Mrs. Barbara Jean Harris

July 29, 1939 - July 11, 2016

Mrs. Barbara Jean Harris departed this life peacefully on July 11, 2016 at home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in the presence of her loving grandson, Shemar Mallory-Harris. She was born July 29, 1939, the daughter of Charlie and Sallie Bloodworth in Thomaston, Georgia. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of New Jerusalem Church of God In Christ inn Kalamazoo, where she was in the choir. She attended Kalamazoo Public Schools, graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School. Barbara was chef at several prominent restaurants in Kalamazoo. She had a love for cooking and decided to run her own restaurant business. She was also employed with Friendship Village and Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Barbara was known to be a giving and generous person, with a gentle spirit. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Paulette Harris; her parents, Sallie and Charlie Bloodworth; 3 brothers, Charles, Alonzo ("Lonnie") and Vincent Bloodworth; uncle, Bennie Drain; aunts, Gussie Gipson and Estella Brown; cousins, Otis Wilson, Martha Harris and Lavon Harris. She leaves behind to cherish her memories: a special son, J. Frederick Bland; grandson, Shemar Mallory-Harris; 4 sisters, Annie M. Bloodworth, Brenda A. Stubbs all of Kalamazoo; Delphine D. Bloodworth of Indiana; and Carla D. (husband Budda) Thompson of Kalamazoo; 3 brothers Robert Bloodworth, Terry Bloodworth both of Kalamazoo and William C. (wife Sand) Bloodworth of South Bend, IN; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Also, special friends, Evelyn Kizzie and Wanda Lee Brown.