Mary Elaine Russell-Harris was born October 2, 1948, in Newport News, Virginia.

She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Iovra Russell. Mary Elaine graduated from Huntington High School in 1967 and continued her education at Virginia State University, majoring in Microbiology. In 1973, she began work at Hampton General Hospital as a Medical Technologist, working in Special Chemistry, where she served for 22 years. In 1990, Mary Elaine made a career change and studied at Christopher Newport University, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work. In 1993, she attended Norfolk State University, where she received her Masters of Arts degree in Social work. In 1996, she began her new career path as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Eastern State Hospital, where she retired in 2014.

On January 23, 2010, Mary Elaine married her high school and college sweetheart, William Harris. Together they shared 14 years of marriage and a lifetime of memories.

Mary Elaine was a devoted member of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton, Virginia, for 60 plus years. She served faithfully in the Christian Education Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, Womens Ministry and Cancer Support Ministry.

On August 31, 2024 Mary Elaine departed this earthly life and entered into Heavens eternity. She was preceded in death by her siblings Betty Russell, Wayne Russell, and Lorraine Winston.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory her one and only husband, William Harris; her "my favorite" one and only daughter, Kelly Smith (Mark); her grandchildren, Torri Richardson and Jordan McCree; and her great grandson, Niyan Wilkes. Her three sisters, Rachel Hill, Darlene Cosby and Fracince James; her five nieces, Joyce, Joey, Natasha, Nichole, and Jessica; her only nephew, Chester; her great nieces and nephews, Brianna, Marcus, Monique, Kailyn, Elijah, Kameron, Nathan, Winter, and Christopher; her bonus daughter, Teresa Wiley; her long time friends, Diane Booker and Ellen Rebell; her caregivers, Frances Duggar and Tanisha Banks-Cooper and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mary Elaine loved reading and teaching the Word of God. She made it her purpose to leave every person she encountered better than she found them. Some of her famous words were, "People don't have to be kind, they choose to be" , and that is just what she did. She was always a listening ear and kept her home open to those in need. She truly had a servant's heart.

Mary Elaine's favorite scripture was Psalm 100: 1-5 "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Viewing will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va.  A funeral service will be held 12 Noon, Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Temple, 3100 Butternut Drive, Hampton, Va. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.