Yolanda Brown-Harris

Yolanda Marie Brown-Harris was born on April 14, 1949 in Columbus, Ohio to Willis Littleton Brown and Melberta Starks Brown Cole at Grant Hospital.

Following her father’s marriage to Martha Mae Cassimere, Yolanda moved with her older brothers, Glenn and Philip, to Houston, Texas. She attended the Houston Independent School District. Yolanda’s mother married Clayton Cole and had two more brothers, Michael and Mark. 

Yolanda was different and decided she would not go to college to do four more years of school. She was convinced by her brother, Philip, that she would do well in the U.S. Army. In December of 1972, Yolanda entered the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) under the Civilian Acquired Skills (CSA) at the rank of Private First Class (E-3). In other words, she had a skill the Army was looking for, Clerk Typist. 

In 1998, women in the WAC became Soldiers and Yolanda was transferred to the 718th Transportation Battalion, 83rd ARCOM starting out as a Truck Driver and eventually becoming an Equal Opportunity Adviser for the 5th Army. In August of 1997, she retired as a Master Sergeant (E-8) with the United States Army. She paid for not going to college because the Army made sure she received plenty of schooling. Her justification was, “I learned, I ate, I had a cot to sleep on and they paid me.” 

Yolanda eventually went to work for the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DSCC) and retired in December of 2011 as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist. 

In the early 1990’s, Yolanda joined St. Paul AME Church where she sang in the Faith Inspirational Choir and the St. Players where she showed her acting skills and worked tirelessly with Jammin Jefferson Park. In the mid 2000’s, Yolanda joined St. John AME Church at the current location where she was actively

involved in singing in the Mass and Women’s choirs and served on the Steward Board for several years. Yolanda always loved children and was in charge of St. John AME Summer Camp where young lives revolved. The young people loved Mrs. Yo. 

Yolanda is preceded in death by her mother, Melberta Cole (1993); her brother, Glenn (1998); her dad, Willis L. Brown (2016); and her husband, Stanley A. Harris (2018).

She leaves to mourn her children, John C.D. Williams Sr. and Marshana (Marcie) Williams-Price (Paul); her foster daughter, Latisha Jones (Bubbles); her grandchildren, Robert P. (Scheziree), Javonne Maria, John Jr., Amari Crook, Dominey Barnett Jr., Paul-Paul; and bonus-grandchild, India Ghee; her great-grandchildren, Mi-Aira, MiKayla, Jalina, Carter, Drew, Dominey Jr., and Amir (Murr), Amaan, Amias, Nova Ann, and Amoor (Heaven’s angel); her brothers, Philip DeLeo, Mark Clayton and Joanna and Michael Stephen; her in-laws, Silvester and Paula (the family Enforcer) and Melvin and Laura and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and her summer camp kids.

Her legacy will always be remembered. Mrs. Yo, you fought a good fight and kept the faith. Great is your reward. Rest in peace.

Visitation 11:00 AM and Funeral Service 12:00 PM Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Saint John A.M.E., 7700 Crosswoods Drive. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH, 2500 Cleveland Ave. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute and offer condolences to the Brown-Harris Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com