Pamela Murphy Harris

PAMELA MURPHY was born to the late Ellis and Delores Murphy on August 5, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pamela was the only surviving member of her immediate family. She entered eternal rest after a lengthy illness, now reunited with her parents, brothers and sister. Pamela accepted Christ at an early age at the Wayland Baptist Church. She recommitted herself when she was baptized again as she proclaimed her church home at The Gospel Tabernacle Baptist Church (GTBC) on April 1, 2012. In addition to her church membership, she was a member of the GTBC Greeters Ministry. She was determined to serve, even during her illness, when she tried being a greeter one Sunday and became overwhelmed. Pamela graduated from Edmondson High School in 1970. She began work at the age of 17 when she worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the kitchen. She told us at that time that would not be her life. One of the hospital doctors noticed her and asked if she would like to work in a lab. So, she matriculated at Johns Hopkins University, Coppin State (University), and The University of Maryland where she studied to be a Histologist. Once she became certified, she didn’t stay in one state for too long. She worked in California (5 yrs.), moved to Fredericksburg, VA (3 yrs.) where she worked at The Mary Washington Hospital. Tiring from there, she moved to Atlanta, GA, (15 yrs.) where she worked at The Northside Hospital. When she moved back to Maryland in 2003, she worked at Quest Diagnostics (2 yrs.), finally working at St. Agnes Hospital where she retired in 2014. Pamela had several loves, Dennis, and Bill. From those relationships two children were conceived. Nicole and Tyrone. On Thanksgiving in 1984, she met Albert Harris who she relocated with during those times until they found their forever home, in Linthicum, Maryland. They remained in a committed relationship until they were married in 2010. While no children were produced from this union, Albert loved Nicole and Tyrone and treated them as his own. Pamela was a quiet, shy, and sensitive soul, but if you mentioned family, her enthusiasm went to the moon. It didn’t take much for her to get excited. Pamela’s greatest pride and joy was her family (even those who had gone to heaven before her). Her family gave her several nicknames, e.g., E-Toot-T-Toot, Teeny One, Stinky Duck, Momma-See tah, and of course, Pam. Her grandchildren Mesha, Demetrick and Dejanae, and great-grandchild Leilani called her Nana, and she was very proud of their accomplishments from pre-school graduation to college degrees to employment. Speaking of being proud, nothing could beat her enthusiasm as much as when both Nicole, and her son, Tyrone joined the armed forces. One in the Air Force (Nicole), Tyrone (Navy). Pamela and her daughter Nicole were like two peas in a pod. She also had a special bond with her 1st cousin, Karen. Pam and Karen were the first children of her father and Karen’s mother, as such, they were raised like sisters, and always called themselves Sisters. She wouldn’t want to leave out The Fries, Karen’s Twins, Tiffany and Talia (a nickname she gave them when they were just babies), Ni’jhaya, and the most recent family member Baby Marlee as she called her. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Albert Harris; daughter, Nicole McDonald (Guy); son-in-law, Demetrick, son, Tyrone Daniels; grandchildren, Mesha, Demetrick, Dejanae; great-granddaughter, Leilani; nephews, Duane and Devon; nieces, Sharice, Chele, Lakeisha, Shelly, Dazmen, and Destiny, and a long list of great-nephews and nieces; sisters-in-law, Patricia Harris and Patrice Murphy; brother-in-law, Tyrone Harris; sister-cousin, Karen Etheridge (Twins, Tiffany and Talia, Ni’jhaya, and Baby Marlee); D. Kevin Etheridge (Kevin D.); best friend, Pamela Miller; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Pamela Murphy Harris

August 5, 1952 - March 25, 2023