Grace Marie Harris, 92 years, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021, at The Kensington, Fort Madison, Iowa.   She was born December 9, 1928, in Fort Madison, a daughter of Hollice Sr. and Elvia (Wilkerson) Clark.  On November 6, 1971, she married Charles S Harris Sr. in Fort Madison.  He preceded her in death.

Grace was a loving mother and exceptional role model to her children and family.  She loved meeting, hugging, and holding all of her new grandbabies and they loved and cherish the memories of their many visits of spending holidays and summers at grandma's house.  She worked as an inspector for Dial Corporation for 17 years.  She was a grievance secretary for the USCW Union.  She was a member of Joy Baptist Church, she held various executive positions with The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and was secretary of the Democrat Party in Iowa.

She is survived by one son: Gordon Beecham of Ankeny, Iowa; six daughters: Mrs. Deborah (Peter) Humphrey of Hayward, California, Theresa Burnough of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Dr. Rosalyn Beecham-Green of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Mrs. Ruth (John) Hairston of Cordova, Tennessee, Mrs. Janice (Julius) Cousin of Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. Stacey (Lew) Montgomery of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one step-son; Geoff Harris of Moline, Illinois; one brother, Hollice Clark of Fort Madison; 24 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sons: Richard Beecham, Clarence Steven Beecham, and Aaron Beecham; one daughter, Johanna Beecham Williams; one stepson, Gregory S. Harris; two step-daughters, Teri Harris and Traci Harris; four sisters: Ruth Webster, Blanch Bates, Kathryn Clark, and Martha Lackey; five brothers: Theodore Clark, James Hayden Clark, Russel Clark, Allen Clark, and Robert Clark: one grandson, Lucas Montgomery and one granddaughter, Valerie Burnough.

Visitation will be held from 2 - 5 pm Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison.  A private family funeral service will be held later at Joy Baptist Church, with burial at the Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, Iowa.  Masks and Social Distancing are required by the family.    A memorial has been established, contributions may be left at or mailed to the Barr Memorial Chapel, 1919 Ave F, Fort Madison, Iowa 52627.  Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Harris family and online condolences may be at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.