Mary Pearl Harbour
June 28, 1918 - May 18, 2010
Obituary
Mary P. Lee Reid Harbour was born on June 28, 1918 to the late James Richmond Lee and Lucy Mae Wilson Lee in Donelson, Tennessee. She passed peacefully on May 18, 2010 at home. She was the eldest of six children. She attended Evans Hill Elementary School in Hermitage, Tennessee. This was a one-room schoolhouse which was built on her grandfather’s land. Most of the children who attended this 1st through 8th grade school were all related. She attended Tennessee A. and I. State College Normal School in Nashville, Tennessee, graduating from the high school at an early age. Afterwards, she attended Tennessee State College, Columbia University in New York City, and returned to Tennessee State College where she graduated in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics.
At the age of 18 years, Mary obtained her first full-time job, working in a factory making bullets during World War II. She later became an elementary school teacher in Nashville, Tennessee. Her church home while in Nashville was Kayne Avenue Baptist Church.
In July of 1950, Mary, her late husband, Roy G. Harbour, and daughter Letealia moved to Seattle, Washington. To this union, two more daughters were born, Sandra and Ann.
Mary united with Mt. Zion Church and served as a Sunday School Teacher in the primary school department for 25 years. She also worked in the Women’s Society and held the position of Secretary for 5 years.
Mary was one of the first African Americans hired to work in the Seattle Public School District where she worked as an elementary school teacher until her retirement in 1982. She worked part-time at the Sears and Roebuck Company for 8 years and was a certified State of Washington foster parent for 25 years.
Mary was also a Girl Scout Leader and she served as a volunteer for numerous charitable organizations in Seattle. She was a contributing member of the Seattle N.A.A.C.P., the Seattle Urban League, YWCA, and she was affiliated with the American Association of Retired Persons.
In 1956, Mary was initiated into Rebekah Chapter #17, and was a founding member. In 1959, she became Worthy Matron and was re-elected to this same position in December, 1973. In July, 1974, she was elected Grand Secretary, Prince Hall Grand Chapter, O.E.S. of Washington and Jurisdiction. She was a Charter Member of the Northwestern Golden Circle Assembly #45, Past Loyal Lady Ruler of the Northwestern Golden Circle Assembly #45, and Grand Loyal Lady Priestess of Washington State Grand Assembly. Mary was also the founder 1960 of the Annual ‘Tea and Hobby Show’ sponsored by Rebekah Chapter #17 O.E.S.
Mary enjoyed sewing, tin craft, flower arranging, reading, charcoal drawing, raising house plants, textile painting, the Globe Trotters, and conversing on the telephone with friends. She also enjoyed collecting Novelty Tea Pots and handkerchiefs from various states and foreign countries.
Mary is preceded in death by: her parents; husbands James Reid and Roy Harbour; brothers Clarence Lee and Alfred Lee; sister Lora Lee Bibbs; sisters-in-law Rosa Craig, Rochester Stewart and Sara Stokes. She leaves to mourn her passing: three daughters, Letealia James Scott, Sandra Harbour Jackson Derrick Bosley who cared for her mother over the past 15 years, Ann Harbour; two sisters, Izora Lee Hurd E.H. Baker, Leithelia Lee Frierson; one sister-in-law Laura Lee; grand-children Ticely L. Jackson Rajah Reeves, Dr. Telana L. Jackson, Lance K. Jackson; great grand-children Rajah Reeves III, Rajanae Reeves, Joshua R. Reeves; a host of nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, and other devoted relatives and friends.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, I loved my Aunt Mae Pearl even though I did not see her much may god bless all of you I LOVE ALL OF YOU stay strong I will be praying for you all your neice in Nashville Rhonda