Reed-Harris Family History

Rebecca Ruth Reed Harris, aka, “Mother Dear,” I am truly grateful and proud to be your granddaughter and for all of the lessons, you taught me throughout my life. Your words, wisdom, faith, and love have been my guiding light. Love Always and Forever, Wendy  

The purpose of this booklet is to share some Harris and Reed family history. It is my desire to help keep alive the memory and legacy of our maternal grandmother, Rebecca Ruth Reed Harris, and my paternal grandfather, Booker Telefaro Washington Harris and their lineage. The information provided is to the best of my research ability at the time of this printing in August 2022. Love & Blessings, Wendy (Harris) Gladney Williams

The story of Rebecca and Booker began at Bishop College in Marshall, Texas. Bishop College was a historically Black college, founded in Marshall, Texas in 1881 by the Baptist Home Mission Society. It was intended to serve students in East, Texas, where most of the Black population lived at the time. In 1961 the college was moved to Dallas, Texas. Rebecca aka “Mother Dear” and Booker, Sr., eventually got married and had nine children. Rebecca and Booker, Sr., married on February 28, 1931, in the home of a woman by the name of Mrs. Cammey Lester and the ceremony was performed by Reverend L.P. Mitchell, in Marshall, Texas. The following is the family lineage as of September 2022.  

The descendants of Rebecca and Booker Harris Booker Telefaro Washington Harris, Jr. Sharon Harris Bailey Benny Rene Harris

Huey Randolph O’Leary Harris Jomo “Joey” Kenatta Harris Lawrence Wilbur Delanor Harris (died as a teenager)

Johnny Wendell Dolphus Harris Wendy Rene Harris Gladney Williams Courtney Sabra Marie Gladney Frederic Douglas Gladney, Jr. Grayson James Gladney Siena Rose Gladney Shyanne Reign Gladney Jon Scott Harris Jon Scott Harris, II Brandon Wendell Harris Damian Elijah Harris Kaylee Renee Harris Sarah Rebecca Harris Xavier Lawrence Harris Stacey Rachelle Harris Bishop Maison Stafford







La Fern Sally Ruth Harris Cunningham Leslie June Cunningham Robyn Elaine Cunningham Surmier Cunningham  

DeArthur McKinley Quinn (Quinn McKinley) Harris Gilbert Wheeler (was adopted and came back into the family later in life) Elle Hope Wheeler Whitney Olivia Wheeler Esther Rebecca Harris Fall Grace Fall Gabriel Fall 

Nettie Felecia Harris Magby Palmer Bobby Eugene “Ty” Magby II Bobby Eugene Magby III Milana Magby Bobby Magby IV Jaidon Wray Magby Kylee Magby Jones Maya Lizzie Jones Kristen Raelene Jones Brianna Rose Jones

Belynda Magby Harris Jay Omar Scott “Josh” Harris Rebecca Teneile Harris Beryl Avis Harris Jasmyne Aycela Harris Beryl Avis Palmer Brockington Stephen Brockington II Stephen Anthony Brockington, III Alana Nicole Kendal Brockington Kaleb Mazen Brockington Kameron Mazen Brockington Trevor Brockington LaHeaven Charletha Brockington Trevor Lee Brockington, II William Monroe “Bille” Palmer, II

Dolores Pearl Harris Christiane Chenelle Harris (born to Robyn Cunningham adopted by Dolores) Lola Elise Hills Lily Pearl Chanel Hills

Donald Eugene Harris aka El-Hadi Talib Shabazz Rashida Shabazz Naomi Shabazz 

Booker Telefaro Washington Harris, Sr.’s Brief History Booker, Sr., was born in a little town called Shady Grove near Gary, Texas around June 16, 1905. He died on January 28, 1954. His father was Nathan Harris (born October 7, 1862 –December 15, 1941) and his mother was Sallie Holt Harris. Sallie and Nathan married on March 25, 1886, in Panola County, Texas. Sallie Holt Harris - It is believed that Sallie was born in Mississippi on June 23, 1862 and she died on November 29, 1938 in Carthage, Panola County, Texas. Sallie Holt Harris’ parents are Hordford and Martha (Rowlett) Holt.    





Booker, Sr., is the grandson of Thomas Harris (born about 1832 in Virginia and died in 1904 in Panola County, Texas) and Agnes (Brittain) Harris. Booker was born in Texas, but his grandfather, Thomas was originally from Virginia. Thomas and Agnes were married in Panola County, Texas on July 30, 1867.According to voting records, Thomas moved to Panola County from Virginia around 1853 and was approximately 35 years at the time. Booker’s Siblings Napoleon Harris (1887 - William Henry “Buck” Harris (December 22, 1891 - Mary Bell “Baby Child” Harris (November 30, 1893 – Martha “Love” Harris (1896 - Rebecca “Sweetie” Harris (March 16, 1897 – James Boston “JB” Harris (December 7, 1898 Austin Dupree “Son” Harris (March 28, 1901 – December 1983) R.T. Harris (1902 - Booker T.W. Harris (June 16, 1905 – January 26, 1954) It is believed that our family, the Harris Family, were slaves to the family of Ben Harris in Texas.  

Rebecca’s Brief History Rebecca’s father was William “Buck” Reed. William was married once prior to marrying Nettie Geneva Carter (Rebecca’s mother). From his first marriage there was a daughter by the name of Bell. Rebecca’s father was originally from Mobile, Mississippi. Nettie was from the Sherman, Texas area. Rebecca’s maternal grandmother was Esther Strawthen Carter. Rebecca was born and raised in the small community of Blue Creek near Sherman, Texas. At an early age she showed a great capacity for work and helped her Papa run the family farm. She was also a very smart little girl in her community school, so her church sponsored her so that she would be able to attend the African-American high school, Frederick Douglass High School in Sherman, Texas. She lived with a family in return for doing housework. During this time her father began ailing and died before she finished high school. Upon graduation, the Methodist Church encouraged her to continue education at Bishop College in Marshall, Texas. She worked her way through college where she met a very smart and dapper young man by the name of Booker Telafaro Washington Harris, Sr. He was a Christian with good standards, so she accepted his proposal upon graduation. While in college, Rebecca’s mother passed away. She convinced her new bridegroom to take her back to Blue Creek so she could pick up her younger

sisters and brothers to take them with them to Shady Grove in East Texas. Booker and Rebecca started life together with a full household even before they had their own children. Booker and Rebecca were a teaching team after graduating from college in many small schools in East Texas. She thought it was best if they left East Texas (due to some racial issues with Booker). They spent a year moving from Selma, Fresno, Indio, and Palm Springs, before settling in Riverside, California. Upon arriving in Riverside, the family joined Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. L.B. Moss. Eventually Booker’s health began to fail and he was unable to continue his advanced education. He supported his family as a tax preparer. Rebecca eventually picked up the mantle and became known across the city for Harris Income Tax Services. She went on to be a Nurse’s Aide, a Beautician, a Seamstress, a Cook, and a Restauranteur just to name a few. She received several degrees and accreditations during her lifetime. She loved the work she did at Sherman Institute Indian School and Rubidoux High School.

Grandmother Ester Father Mother Nettie Strawthen Carter William “Buck” Reed Geneva Carter Reed

Rebecca’s Siblings Rebecca Ruth Reed Harris was born five miles east of Sherman, Texas on a farm in a small community called Independence Springs, aka, “Blue Creek.” She was born May 18, 1905 and died September 13, 2003 Ardelia (Ardalia) Reed (1906-1951) Nathaniel Reed (1908-1985) Perry Lee (Pearlee) Reed (1911-1989) Rosie Mae Reed (1913-1985) Lee Annie (Leana) Reed (1915-1988) William Henry Reed (1920 – 1992) Bennie Pearl Reed James Leroy Reed (1923-1995)  





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Please note this family history is based on the direct descendants of Rebecca and Booker Harris. Thank you to everyone who provided me with information, sent in photos, and encouraged me as I worked on this project. It was truly a labor of love. God bless the future generations of Harris’ and Reed’s. I also dedicate this book to my grandchildren Grayson, Siena, and Shyanne, and to all the future generations in our family. Harris & Reed Legacy 2022  



The Family Tree of Rebecca Ruth Reed Harris & Booker Telefaro Washington Harris           This legacy book was put together with love. Wendy Harris Gladney Williams 2022