- Popular Decatur schools nutrition worker passes away [AJC]
- Decatur High construction set for June [AJC]
- Don’t forget…Decatur Lantern Parade this evening [Next Stop…Decatur]
- Atlanta is looking for a Chief Bicycle Officer [ATL Urbanist]
- Ponce City Market announces another round of retail shops [Atlanta Magazine]
- Georgia ranks #25 on Bike Friendliness [WABE]
Photo courtesy of Al
Ms. Margaret was a lovely woman. She was at DHS for many of her 21 years in Decatur and several of her grandchildren went to DHS during the years I was there. She wasn’t just a grandmother to them, she was a grandmother to many students. She had a heart of gold and will be greatly missed. Please keep the Harris/Wright/Tucker family in your prayers as they grieve this beautiful woman.
I attended the funeral service for Ms. Margaret Harris Saturday. While driving to the Rucker Funeral Chapel on South Candler Road, a country and western song, Three Wooden Crosses, played on the radio. Throughout the beautiful service and the rest of the day, I thought of the song’s last lines, “It’s not what you take when you leave the world behind, it’s what you leave behind you when you go” as a meaningful description of the rich life of Ms. Margaret Harris, a dedicated cafeteria worker at Decatur High School and Winnona Park Elementary School and someone I was proud to call my friend.
Ms. Harris worked in the DHS cafeteria for almost twenty years and during that time, I had many opportunities to appreciate her outstanding qualities. In addition to preparing food from 7:00 to 11:00 every day, she was in charge of making sure that the steam table was ready for the start of three lunch periods. When that bell rings to start lunch, those hungry students expect to be served quickly and Ms. Harris made sure the serving table was always ready. But she was so much more than a hard-working, well organized employee. She was a real lady who spoke with a beautiful Southern accent. Many times I heard students ask about an unusual dish. Ms. Harris would say, “Oh it’s delicious. You should try some.” It was the way she said it that made students comfortable with trying new dishes and, as most parents of teenagers understand, getting young people to try something new is not easy. She was kind to all students but especially those who needed it the most, special education students, shy kids and those who may have had a rough time earlier with a teacher or administrator. Maybe it was her voice or her beautiful smile but whatever it was, she had a special gift that helped her connect with all kinds of Decatur kids.
Ms. Harris could be tough when necessary. I remember the time when I was in the lunch line in front of one of her grand-daughters. When I overheard the girl ask for an extra chicken nugget, I said something like, “You take care of your grandchildren, don’t you.” I was kidding of course but when Ms. Harris gave me that “Come To Jesus” look, I knew I was in trouble. “Now Mr. B”, she said, “you know I don’t play favorites. I’ll give some students a little extra food because I know that this meal may be the only good one they’ll get today. And don’t you forget all the times I gave you an extra serving of peach cobbler or real french fries from the snack line.” I was stunned. It was like everyone in the cafeteria had stopped talking to listen to Ms. Harris put me in my place. I was so ashamed that the next morning, I went to beg forgiveness which she quickly granted. It was another one of her many good qualities, accept an apology and move on without any negative consequences.
I will always remember Ms. Harris for her devotion to her family and the love she had for all the children in the City Schools of Decatur. Devotion and love, the things she left behind, will not be forgotten. Please keep her daughter Pamela and the grand and great grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers. God Speed Ms. Harris.