Mildred O. Harris

Mother Mildred Olivia Harris was peacefully called to glory on March 20, 2024, at the
age of 97. Mildred was born on May 7, 1926, to the late Rev. Oliver and Nancy Young, in
Lackawanna, NY. She was the third oldest of 14 children. Mildred was a beautiful baby,
who was dearly loved by her parents, especially her father who teasingly called her,
"The daughter that Daddy loved."

Mildred began playing the piano at age seven, and by the time she was 12, her mother
recognized her remarkable talents and started her on formal music lessons. However,
much to her mother's surprise, Mildred would often toss aside her music books and,
relying on her God-given talent, play music by ear. After a few months, Mrs. Young
discontinued the lessons, realizing that Mildred's natural gift for music was best left to
develop under the guidance of divine inspiration alone.

Mildred's life was defined by her unyielding faith and steadfast commitment to God. At
the age of 12, during a church revival in Lackawanna, Mildred found salvation and was
filled with the Holy Ghost, igniting aflame within her that would burn brightly for the
rest of her days.

Soon after graduating from Lackawanna schools, Mildred found love and in 1946, she
married her childhood sweetheart, the late Robert L. Stringfield. To their union they
shared three children and 18 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and treasured
memories. After the loss of her husband, Mildred supported her family by gaining a
position with the Erie County Health Education Department as a Health Aide, for
approximately 15 years.

Mildred's life was a testament to her deep and abiding love for God, which served as the
foundation of her character. She exemplified selflessness and generosity in every aspect
of her life, freely giving of herself and her resources as devotion to serving her church.

As a member of the Good Samaritan Church of God in Christ, Mildred found peace and
purpose under the leadership of her brother, Bishop Glenwood H Young, Sr. Her
commitment to her church family was unwavering, and over several years she served
as a dedicated Sunday School teacher, Pastor's Aide helper, State Aide for Women in
White, member of Good Samaritan's Mother's Board, and a Good Samaritan trustee.

With her commitment to serving God through music, Mildred passionately played both
the piano and the organ in numerous capacities. Between 1946 and 2019, Mildred
served as musician for the Lackawanna Church of God in Christ (C.0.G.LC) and choir,
musician for Faith Temple CO.G.I.C and choir, musician for the Young Sisters group,
musician for Good Samaritan's, Senior, Adult and junior choirs, musician for the Youth
and Young Adult choir, musician for District #1 choir, stand-in musician for Eternal
Hope C.O.G.I.C, and stand-in musician for the late Sherman L. Walker Radio Group.

Her remarkable skills not only enriched countless worship services but also inspired and
uplifted those who had the privilege of experiencing her musical ministry. Mildred's
legacy as a musician will forever be remembered and cherished by all whose lives she
touched with her heartfelt melodies and dedication to playing the piano.

In 1954, Mildred and her five sisters organized a singing group known as the Young
Sisters. Over the span of about 12 years, they traveled extensively across the country,
sharing beautiful harmonies through song. Mildred's adeptness at the piano, coupled
with the melodious voices of her sisters brought joy and inspiration to countless
audiences wherever they went.

In 1984, the late Rev. George L. Harris sought Mildred's hand in marriage, and on October
19th of that year, they exchanged vows. Mildred and Rev. Harris shared a blessed union
for 15 years. During their time together, Mildred stood by her husband's side as the First
Lady at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ.

Mildred had a unique fondness for simple, but nice things like her vast collection of
church hats. She would spend hours neatly labeling each hat box according to the season
that the hat was to be worn during. She absolutely loved Dairy Queen and would often
take her grandchildren for a ride to get ice cream sundaes, she enjoyed playing board
games with her siblings, she loved to travel and looked forward to going to Memphis
yearly for the C.O.G.I.C Holy Convocation, and she read the Buffalo Newspaper each night
before going to bed .. .faithfully! One of Mildred's favorite Bible verses was Matthew 20:27,
"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." A favorite song that
she loved to sing was, "Hold on to Jesus, hold on. He's coming soon."

Mildred Olivia Harris was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Oliver and Nancy
Young; her spouses, Robert L. Stringfield and Rev. George Harris; her son, Ronald (Mary)
Stringfield; her brothers, Frank (late Ruth) Young, Adolph (Marion) Young, Oliver (late
Pearl) Young Jr., Eugene (late Juanita) Young, Theodore (late Shirley) Young, Gerald
(late Mitt) Young, and Harold (Vallerie) Young; her sisters, Jeanette (late Morris)
Bowman and Dolores (late Henry) Jones.

Mildred leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Sharon (late James) Quicksey and
Jaris (late Joe) Daniels; her grandchildren, Temeaka (Darrien) Payne, Tia Hale, Jamal
Quicksey, Faron Quicksey, and Tyra Quicksey; her great-grandchildren, Taven Payne,
Dillon Hale, Royal Quicksey, Jayson Quicksey and Ziya Quicksey; her brother, Bishop
Glenwood H. Young Sr. (late Pauline); her sisters, Constance (late Ollie) Brooks, Doris
(late William)Lockett-Page, and Gloria (Charlie) Anderson; her sister in law Geraldine
(late Richard) Wilson; a host of nieces and nephews and other dear family members;
cherished friends and her loving Good Samaritan church family.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday March 26 from 11-12 PM at the Good Samaritan
C.O.G.I.C. 261 Cleveland Dr. Cheektowaga, NY 14215 where a Celebration of Life
will follow at 12PM. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery