Her Humble Beginnings

Georgia Mae Badger-Harris, daughter of the late Melvin E. and Georganna Lee Badger, was born October 23, 1953 in Bridgeton, NJ. She was the 2nd youngest child of thirteen children: Jack (d), Calvin (d), Calvin (d), Julius (d) ,Melvin jr.(d),Mardran , (d)William,Sally Shelly, Rudolf,Christina, and Pecola

She was known as the spoiled baby girl. Georgia Mae was a daddy's girl who got everything she wanted and got everybody in trouble.

Her Early Years

Her siblings called her mischievous, the youngest girl child that got away with everything, and always threatened to get MaDaddy to "Whoop their "butts" if they didn't do what she asked. She loved to play dress up in her mom's clothes and would often dress up her baby brother Pecola in girl clothes. When her older brother Ruddy questioned why his brother was dressed up like a girl, Georgia  would fuss back saying Pecola was her baby doll and she could do what she wanted to him.

Georgia spiritual roots were in the baptist church. As a child she attended New Hope Baptist church in Cedarville and later she would become a member of St. James Baptist Church.

As a sassy beautiful bowleg young lady, Georgia loved to hang with Her favorite pastime was dancing, sneaking out and partying with her sister Christine and childhood friends, Ruth & Ellen and the designated driver Patrica Hambrick. She was educated in the Cedarville School system and graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1972.

Her Journey

After graduating Bridgeton High School,  she married the love of her life, Elross Harris. She left NJ to live in Germany with her army husband. It was the year of the Germany Olympics, where many uprisings were occuring. Her father told her brother Cudda to go get his baby-girl from Germany and bring her home. Needless to say, that did not happen, she and her best friend Elross began their life together until his military time ended.  They moved to Bridgeton NJ and had three children: Nakasha R. (John) Harris-Staples, Elross L. (Allyce), Lydell K. (Chantielle) Harris .after moving back to Bridgeton, NJ.

While raising her children, Georgia worked at Wheatons Glass as a journeyman operator (a worker skilled in a given trade who has successfully completed an official apprenticeship qualification). She was extremely proud of her title. She worked shift work and lectured all young people about how important it was to work hard for the things they wanted.  She also played Co-Ed softball with her colleagues on Crew 3 in Millville, NJ.

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Her Evolution

Being an unstoppable woman with a plan, she purchased a home in Vineland NJ and dedicated her life to being a mother and grandmother. She believed it was her duty to feed her grandkids with cereal and Karo syrup and make sure they had whatever they asked for even if their parents didn't agree. She didn't believe in baby talk and always held a full conversation with each of her grandchildren.

Her Activism & Inspiration

She was passionate about politics and made sure all of the young people who crossed her path understood how it worked and were registered voters. She was very vocal about its importance and often donated to political campaigns. If she wasn't talking  politics she was discussing entrepreneurship with her family. She offered only Motherlylove and insight.  Getting your education was always stressed as the primary ingredient for their success.

Her Role as Mother

Georgia Harris will be remembered as a mother figure to many. Everyone who knew her felt her love, enjoyed her wisdom, and developed a special motherly bond with her. She was described as "everybody's mom" and was never selfish with her love. Her famous dishes were baked beans, candied yams, Lima beans, black eyed peas, and turkey ham. Georgia Mae fed her family a huge dinner once a year on New Year's Day and everyone came to get some of her famous good luck black eyed peas. She left an imprint on everyone she had a conversation with. Her words of inspiration to her legacy were Be positive, Respectful and Loyal.

Her Legacy

Her grandchildren will forever remember her unlimited and selfless love and all of the private conversations they had with her one on one. These include:  (13) grandchildren: Dinyzia Smith (Née Née), Christopher Harris, Shallah Harris, Nahjae harris ( Nah Nah),  Dae'quan staples, Victoria staples, J'ohn staples, Lydell C. Harris (Duke), Jonathan Harris, Lucas  Harris, Julien Harris, and her new bundles of love Emory and Emani harris.  Great grandchildren, Kadan Staples and Milana Lee Harris.

The Final Chapter 67

We all come together united to celebrate an incredible womanand say thank you.   Everything we are or ever hope to be, we owe to our wonderful mother's love, wisdom, inspiration and guidance.

We would like to acknowledge our indebtedness to a loving mother.   We honor you… We love you … We salute you… Thank you for everything you have done for us!

Georgia is survived by her siblings, MargieAnne (Robert) Hawkins, Shirley (Robert) Mobley, Sally (Willie) Bryant, Christine (Dolton) Badger-Burno, Rudolf (Ruddy), William (Cudda); special children: William Green & Raymond Newsome, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Known for Her: For her infectious laughter and great conversation, wig collection, late night phone calls with her sisters,& faithfully watching  CNN & MSNBC.