Alma Kathleen Harris

Alma Kathleen Harris (1943–2025)

A mother’s heart is a patchwork of Love – Unknown

Alma Kathleen Harris was born on March 11, 1943, in Philadelphia, PA to Alberta Ruff. She passed away on August 9, 2025, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware.

Alma, affectionately known by family and friends, as Sweetie Pie, received her education in the Ardmore School District, and graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1960.

She attended and was baptized at Zion Baptist Church in Ardmore, Pa at a young age.

In June 1960, Alma married her childhood sweetheart, Jasper Williams, from this union two sons- Aaron and Troy were born. Jasper and Alma remained together until 1963, when they divorced.

Alma found love again when she met and married Bernard Harris in 1966. One daughter, Kellie Lea, was born to this union. Alma and Bernard moved from Philadelphia, Pa to Orlando, Florida in pursuit of the American Dream to own and operate their own business. They were successful and operated a fast-food restaurant featuring Philly Cheesesteaks and Hoagies for several years.

In 2004, Alma moved back to the Philadelphia area and worked as a Pharmacy Technician at Walgreens until her retirement in 2014.

Alma was a sports fanatic and loved watching all sports including football, baseball, basketball, tennis and bowling. She belonged to a bowling league in Florida. She also loved to cruise and spent time cruising around the Caribbean.

Those who knew Alma remember her for her kindness and her love of fashion. She was known affectionately by some as Momma Harris and as a woman who could dress to impress.

In recent years Alma suffered from Sickle Cell Anemia, and it was from this disease and its complications that she passed.

Alma was preceded in death by her mother, Alberta Ruff White, her grandparents, Alma and IJ Ruff, her aunt, Emma Jefferson, her beloved granddaughter Shantaya Williams and several aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

She leaves to mourn her loss her children, Aaron, Troy and Kellie and stepchildren, Bernard Harris Jr., Andre Harris and Donya Jones-Corey; her grandchildren: Donte, Taylor, Keairra, her sister Carrie and brother in law Clifford, her step sisters, Gayle, Vanessa and Tobin, her Aunt Jessica and her husband Vernon and a host of grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Alma was loved and respected by all who knew her and will be dearly missed. We loved her, but God loved her best.

Sorrowfully Submitted,

The Family