Yoshiko “Katie” Harris, 94, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 25, in Valdosta. Yoshiko was born on Jan. 18, 1924, in Tokyo, Japan, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Aoki.
Yoshiko came to America when she was 34 with her only son, the late Sammy Harris. Yoshiko and Sammy lived in Connecticut for close to 20 years before they moved to Madison and made their life here. She was an excellent seamstress, working in two factories; one in Connecticut and one in Madison. Yoshiko also sewed for many people independently. She loved animals and people and she was known for her accent and her infectious laugh.
Her grandchildren: Blake and Meghan, were her heart. In the more recent years, her great-grandchildren: Samuel and Will, became the apples of her eyes. Her eyes never sparkled as they did when she saw one of her great-grandchildren or grandchildren.
Yoshiko was preceded in death by her parents; her only son, Sammy Harris; one sister and two brothers.
She is survived by her two grandchildren: Blake Harris, of Los Angeles, Ca. and Meghan (Bo) Agner, of Lee; daughter-in-law, Peggy Harris, of Madison; two great-grandchildren: Samuel Agner and Will Agner; as well as a host of family in Japan.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m., at Burns Funeral Home of Madison. Internment services followed at Hanson United Methodist Cemetery. The family received friends from 10 a.m. through 11 a.m. the day of the funeral. All arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Madison.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local animal shelter or to the United Methodist Children's Home in Madison. The family would like to express a special thanks to the entire staff of Southern Living for Seniors for their love and care during “Mema's” stay.