Lottie Harris' Obituary
Reflections on the life of Lottie Harris
Lottie was born on August 24, 1941 in Altheimer, Arkansas. Lottie was one of twelve children born to Gosbey and Izelria Harris.
In 1944 the family moved to Omaha Nebraska. Lottie attended Kellom Elementary School, Tech Junior High and Tech High School, where she graduated with honors.
Lottie moved to San Diego, California in 1959 and began her nursing carrier at Paradise Valley Hospital as a Clinical Resource Educator. In that role she provided the most current education to the Emergency Department staff and to nursing students who would come to the ER for additional training.
While working in the nursing field, Lottie also attended San Diego City College where she received an Associate of Arts (AA) degree. In 1976, she then furthered her education by attending University of Redlands and obtained her Bachelors of Arts (BA) degree. She also attended University of California, Los Angeles where she received her Lifetime Teaching Credentials in Nursing, Health Safety, Health Education, and Black Culture. Lottie retired from Paradise Valley Hospital where she worked exclusively in the Emergency Department as the Head Nurse for twenty-five years. She then continued nursing at Kaiser for several years.
Lottie was an advocate for health care and for the community she lived in and when asked to serve, she accepted, gave 100 percent, and would not substitute quality over quantity. It was her selfless dedication, consistent excellence, and full life, as evidenced below, that testifies to the myriad of awards and recognition that was bestowed upon her:
San Diego Black Nurses Association: Founder & President (1976), Vice President (1983), Public Relations Chairperson, Newsletter Editor, & Community Health Chairperson
National Black Nurses Association: Treasurer (1978)
Concerned Women for Positive Action: Co-Founder & Chairperson (1979)
American Cancer Society Southeast Branch: Education Chairperson
National Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses: Content Expert, State Representative (1987-1988)
Area Health Education Center Program: Board Member
Health Service Advisory Commission of The Red Cross: Member & CPR Instructor
Paramedics Program: Board Member/Instructor
She was also a member of the following organizations:
Black Caucus of Health Workers, NAACP-Urban League, State of California Board of Education, Health System Agency of San Diego, State Department of Mental Health Office of Prevention, Black Law Enforcement Network, Emergency Nurses Association, Brothers United San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
On January 15, 1989 under the leadership of Pastor Timothy J. Winters, Lottie united with Bayview Baptist Church, where she served in various ministries including The Alzheimer's Support Group, the Bible Study Group, and she was most passionate with the Health and Wellness Ministry.
Lottie was devoted to her faith and her family. She especially treasured the moments with her great grandchildren and organizing meetings, dinners and movie nights at her home for caregivers. She was an avid reader, but it was also common to find her cheering for her favorite football teams, the San Diego Chargers and after their departure, the Kansas City Chiefs! She loved her family, friends, and community, and will be deeply missed.
On Monday June 2, 2025, Lottie was called home to glory to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her parents Gosbey Harris and Izelria Tyson Harris; 3 sisters-Mary McKee, Rosie Gray, and Sarah Davis; 2 brothers-James Harris and her twin, Sammy Harris.
She leaves to cherish her memories: her son, Aaron R. Sims (Helen); grandson, Aaron J. Sims (Tatiana); great grandchildren, Giana and Jordan Sims; brothers, Bennie Williams (Barbara), Henry Harris, Cleophus Harris; sisters, Lillie Greshem, Zeria Williams, Rev. Dr. Diane Johnson, and a host of family and friends to celebrate her life.
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