March 20, 1936 - February 06, 2017
Willie Lou “Carol” Harris, a long-time resident of East Palo Alto, California, was born March 20, 1936 in Dy- ersburg County, Tennessee to the late LouElla Eison and Rev. Alonzo N. Eison, Sr. She departed this life on February 6, 2017 at her home sur- rounded by family and friends. She was united in Holy Matrimony to James E. Harris. To this union, 3 chil- dren were born. In addition, she had 3 children from pre- vious marriages.
Willie Lou was ahead of her time. With her entrepre- neurial spirit, she opened several “Hamburger Shacks” in the San Francisco Bay Area serving up amazing burgers, fries and specialty
sandwiches. She once ran a “penny candy” store right out of her garage, a snack shop known as Lonnie’s Corner and the evangelistic workshop all located in East Palo Alto! Willie Lou worked as a Licensed/Vocational Nurse where she brought comfort and assistance to those who were convalescing. Willie Lou
with her cute face and bigger than life personality was quite the character. Telling jokes and riddles and making others laugh was her specialty. Within the laughter, if you listened closely, you would hear little nuggets of wisdom which flowed from her love of God.
She loved listening to the blues and gospel music and she loved dancing, but mostly she loved her children. Willie Lou was many things to many people. She was known as “Mama Willie” who visited the local grocery store to pick up snow cones and crack a joke or two before heading back home. She was “Pocket Mom” to some be- cause she was such a loving
person you just wanted to put her in your pocket and keep her near. To those closest to her she was Mom or Wil’lou because she gave love and support to anyone who needed it. She also believed in giving back to the community therefore she gave countless volunteer hours to the Ecumenical Hunger Pro- gram in East Palo Alto. While she was a member of Sweet Home COGIC she could be found visiting many other churches within the city.
She was preceded in death by siblings: Dorothy Mosley, Alonzo N. Eison, Jr., Viola Lacy and Esterlene Lacy. Willie Lou (also lovingly known as “Carol”) leaves to cherish her sweet memories
her husband, James Harris, 6 children— Bennie J. Mackey (Menlo Park), Herbert L.Parker (Sacramento), Stan- ley R. Parker (East Palo Alto), Juliet Harris (East Palo Alto), Joey Harris (East Palo Alto) and Alonzo D. Harris (Mutisya)(Stockton); 17 Grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren. Three sisters: Katie Mae Watson of Elk Grove, California, Alene Dodds (Wallace) of Folsom, California, and Addie Lee Candler (Lloyd, Sr.) of Brent- wood, California. Other broth- ers and sister-in-law, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and ex- tended family who brought her great joy.
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