Doretha Anita Harris was born on February 16, 1947, in Saint Louis, Missouri to the union of Marion Sr. and Jodie (Richardson) Harris. She was the second of nine children. Doretha was raised first on Cutter Ave. then the tenth block of Piggott and finally in the Orr Weathers Housing Complex. As a child Doretha attended and was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend John W. Rouse Sr.

Doretha was educated in the East St. Louis School District. She attended Washington Elementary School, Hughes-Quinn Junior High and graduated from Lincoln Senior High School in 1965. Immediately after graduating from high school, Doretha was employed at McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing). After a short stay she transitioned to St. Mary's Hospital and worked as a nurse's assistant for many years. The pull of higher education was calling and she enrolled and graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. After obtaining her degree, she was employed for several years by School District 189 as an elementary school teacher. Later she was offered an opportunity to work or the Department of Labor as an instructor for the St. Louis Job Corp Program. Doretha taught at the Sr. Louis facility for 25 years until her retirement in 2011. At her retirement celebration many of her co-workers commented on her dedication to the job and her commitment to enriching the lives of her students. As a result, she received many awards and letters of commendation. In retirement, she most enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her legacies, daughter, Trebia; granddaughter, Tiffany and great-granddaughters, Kordlyn, Reign, and Kasch who were the light of her life!

In the fall of 1989, Doretha joined the Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, Alpha Upsilon Chapter, East St. Louis, Illinois where she remained active for many years. Additionally, Doretha was a member of the National Council of Negro Women, Ethele Scott Section, where she maintained an active Life Membership until her health began to fail. She was also a faithful member of the Red Hat Ladies Society.

Doretha departed this life Tuesday, November 5, 2024. She was preceded in death by her only daughter Trebia R. jones; her parents, Marion Sr and Jodie Harris; 4 brothers, Melvin, Naccoma, Gerald, and Phillip Harris; 1 sister, Diane E. Harris and a special nephew Antonio Little.

Doretha leaves to cherish her memory; her granddaughter, Tiffany Johnson; her great-granddaughters, Kordlyn, Reign, and Kasch Minor; two sisters, Mary (Johnnie) Spencer, and Marian Henrietta Harris; 1 brother, Marion (Peggy) Harris), Jr.; her nieces, and nephews, Patresa (Martez), Robin, Marques, Kioysha, Tiana, Kenneth, Brandon, Bryant and Geronimo who all mourn the loss of a favored aunt and confidant. Also mourning her loss, are a host of close family, friends, past co-workers, sorors, club organization members and several life long friends, Sharon Harley Leggs, Betty Conners Lewis and Carolyn Hardy Jeffries.