A Life to be Remembered

On November 1, 2020, Erlene Penny-Harris passed away peacefully in her home after a battle with cancer. She was seventy 70 years young. An Alsuma (a subsection renamed to Broken Arrow), Oklahoma native. She was dear to her large-immediate and church family.

Raised by both parents, John Calvin Sr and Amanda Smith-Penny, Erlene had a humble beginning. She did what most teenagers would do—but she never forgot her roots. She was a true entrepreneur after skipping her high school years.
After a very long courtship, both she and Wilfred Cleo Harris, Sr decided it was time to make it official on April 9, 1985. In this unity, she mothered nine children of her own and three bonus children. She took on the responsibilities as mother to her grandson Dante Harris proceeding his mother's death.

Erlene is known for her passion of keeping her home and her church home clean. Her life consisted of taking care of her family and loving Jesus. She gave her life to Christ on June 6, 1985. Erlene never missed a day of service until this illness commanded her to slow down—even then she pressed on. She was a soldier, a pillar, and vigilant as a member of New Testament Holiness Church both in Tulsa, OK and Joplin, MO, you would hear her making intercessory prayers for her loved ones far and near and those unknown. She is a God-fearing woman and witnessed to those with whom she had special encounters.

Erlene is survived by her husband Wilfred Cleo Harris, Sr. and seven children – Tyrone Penny (Camille) (Dallas, TX), Tarleasie Mechelle Cole (Kevin, Sr.) (Dallas, TX), Nekesha [Tunie] (Dallas, TX), SynCeera (Sunny) Guillory (Dallas, TX),
Tiawana Hall (Dallas, TX), Cleon Harris (Joplin, MO), and Micah Harris (Michelle) (Carthage, MO), Tussonia (Joplin, MO); two stepchildren both in Tulsa, OK – Cleo Harris Jr. [Laurie] and Dewayne Harris. Twenty-four grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren. Sisters: Lorene, twin [Donald] Randle (Tulsa, OK), Bernice Skinner (Tulsa, OK), Roberta Williams (Tulsa, OK), Flora Mae Morrison (Dallas, TX); brothers: James (Poochie) (Dallas, TX), Ronald Wayne (Tulsa, OK).

She is preceded in death by two of her children: Curtis Lee Penny and Chacola Lashay Harris; Parents John C. and Amanda Penny, Sisters: Alberta and Mary Penny, and Brothers: James (Sweet Boy) and John Calvin (JC) Penny.

The Service of Memory for Mrs. Harris will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 10:00 AM in the most Holy Sanctuary of the New Testament Holiness Church in Tulsa, OK. Burial will follow in the Green Acres Memorial Gardens in Skiatook.

You may visit Erlene on Friday, November 6, 2020 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the funeral home in Tulsa.