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Dessa Ann Jerkins-Harris
<p>Dessa Ann Jerkins-Harris’s love for children and music is incomparable. She was an educator, visionary, businesswoman, minister, and vocalist. She was born on April 25, 1949 in Newtonville, NJ. She is the 7th of thirteen children of the late Fred Sr. and Gladys Jerkins. </p><p><br></p><p>She was raised in a Christian household in Southern New Jersey. At age seventeen she moved to Toledo, Ohio. She graduated from Libbey High School. She became the family of Sis Mary Anna Lewis and the Lewis family. She married Maurice M. Henderson Jr. and had three children. They divorced after 18 years. She became a member of the choir at Bibleway Apostolic Household of Faith (Bibleway Temple) under the late Bishop Carl E. Mitchell. She later joined Upton United Methodist Church under Bishop Pat Mckinistry where she was a member of the praise and worship team. She later married Minister William “Bill” Harris and they became members of Word of Faith under Bishop Keith Butler. While at Word at Faith, they graduated from the Pistis School of Ministry and toured China and Israel with the Church. She ministered with her Husband William “Bill” Harris under Rapture Ministries Inc. at various churches in the United States. They also ministered in Nairobi, Kenya. </p><p><br></p><p>She obtained both her B.S. in Education and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Toledo. She worked for over thirty years as a kindergarten teacher, mentor and reading coach with the Toledo Public School System. It was during that time; she developed her passion for children. She envisioned creating a place where she would be able to prepare children for excellence and future success. </p><p><br></p><p>When she retired from TPS, she endeavored to make her passion a reality. In 2006, she founded Learners for Life Child Development Center with her team that included her loving husband, children, and grandchildren. As Founder, CEO, and administrator, it quickly became a premier five star rated childcare center in Toledo, Ohio. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>In 2014, she expanded her vision and founded an elementary school, Academy of Educational Excellence. The school is yet another example of her commitment to the education and well-being of children</p><p><br></p><p>She is survived by her loving husband, Minister William (Bill) Harris Jr. and her bonus children: Pastor William (Mary) Harris III, Sonia (Ben) De La Torre, Mark Harris, Erika Harris, and Camille (Floyd Jr) Hayden. </p><p><br></p><p>Her first marriage to Maurice M. Henderson (deceased), an army veteran produced three children. She is survived by Sonya (Perry) Loggins, Maurice (Theresa) Henderson III and Angie (Mykell) Khioukhom.</p><p><br></p><p>She was preceded in death by brother, David W. Jerkins Sr. and sister, Etha Jerkins-Agyei. Additionally, she is survived by ten siblings and their spouses: Pastor Curtis (Marva) Jerkins, Minister Lee (Gealdine) Jerkins, Elder Sam (Mary) Jerkins, Bishop Fred (Sylvia) Jerkins Jr., Minister Daniel (Karla) Jerkins, Minister George (Beatrix) Jerkins, Dr. Joseph Jerkins, Pastor Paul (Kathy) Jerkins, Charles (Michelle) Jerkins, Darlene (George) Glover. Sister-in-law Lilaine Jerkins and a plethora of nieces, nephews and cousins. </p><p><br></p><p>Bonus Grandchildren</p><p>Jasmine, Tyonna, William IV (Ashley) Harris, Floyd III, Justin, Durrell, Destiny, David, and Joshua Hayden.</p><p><br></p><p>Bonus great grandchildren</p><p>Anastasia, Arielle, and Adam</p><p><br></p><p>Descendants of D. Ann Jerkins Harris</p><p>Grandchildren</p><p>Devon, Brandon, Steven, Dayzreon, Alysiah, Shaqula and Perris Loggins, Deanna Peoples, Treylynn Khioukhom, Anthony (Tony) Peoples, Maurice (Baby Reece) Henderson IV, and unborn grandson Kaleb Khioukhom.</p><p><br></p><p>Great grandchildren:</p><p>Thaimi, Demetrius, Dayzreon Jr., Dalon Jr., Jeremiah, Aydin, Devon, Ah’Leace, Treyden, Jalen, Shalyn, Carter, Zayne, and Aariyah.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>February 8, 202102/08/2021
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Dessa Ann Jerkins-Harris
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