Freda Deniece Harris was born on June 14, 1953 to Mirian and Joseph Alexander, Sr in Houston, Texas. The family moved to Los Angeles, California in the latter 1950’s where Freda first started school. During the summers while in high school Freda visited cousins in Tacoma, Washington. One summer she met a handsome young man, was smitten by and later married David Harris. The couple settled in Tacoma and had 3 children, Laura Denise, Patricia Ann Deloris, and Domonic Alexander.

After 12 years Freda found herself a young single mother. She worked hard to care for her family, sometimes working 2 jobs. Although Freda sometimes faced difficult challenges, she never complained, she never stopped working hard and she always managed to rise.

Freda loved the Lord and was a humble servant. She worshipped at Hilltop Christian Center ministered by Pastors Pana and Tai Mamea and became an ordained minister there.

Minister Freda had a personality bigger than life and had an even bigger heart. She gave tirelessly and selflessly to her family, church, relatives, friends, co-workers and community.

Minister Freda had many varied jobs during her lifetime. She was one of the first African-American female bus drivers for Pierce Transit. She drove the shuttle van for individuals with disabilities, and through her own business, Harris and Associates, she pro-vided services as a Visitation Supervisor for children in foster care and as an In-Home Caregiver for adults. Freda so lovingly used those talents and skills to care for her mother until her passing earlier this year.

Minister Freda often volunteered at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, gave food, clothing and other items to anyone in need and on occasion offered her home to a friend who was temporarily displaced. She was truly an angel.

Minister Freda passed away in St Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma surrounded by love in a room filled with family, her Pastors, friends and loved ones. Minister Freda is preceded in eternity by her parents and daughter Laura. Minister Freda is survived by her daughter and son, 2 sisters and 2 brothers, and brother-in-law, Linda Alexander, Paula and Linzie Stovall, Joseph Alexander of Tacoma, Darrel Patterson of Beaumont, TX, her mother’s sister, Grace Briggs of Tacoma, her father’s wife Deborah Alexander of Los Angeles, CA, her grandchildren, great grand children, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends.

“Servant of God, well done! Thy glorious warfares past, The battle is fought, The race is won, And thou art crowned at last.”

MINISTER FREDA, WE LOVE YOU AND WE WILL MISS YOU.
YOUR BELOVED FAMILY