Dr. Helen Virginia Epps Harris, 83, transitioned from labor to reward on March 15, 2023, after a brief illness. The daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Andrew Clay and Helen Virginia Christian-Epps, she was predeceased by her husband, the late Charles Emanuel Harris. Educated in Richmond Public Schools, Helen was a proponent and advocate for education and gave 31 years of service as a business teacher and Cooperative Office Education Coordinator at Armstrong High School.

Helen was a proud member of the Armstrong High School Class of 1957 and a graduate of Virginia Union University, Class of 1961.  She was honored to pledge her sisterhood to the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  Her professional and business acumen began at the tender age of sixteen when she was the youngest in the state of Virginia to pass the real estate exam.

As a driven and committed community leader and activist, she was said to have been the architect of the remarkable push in Henrico County to make the observance of the holiday commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. county-wide. As the first female president of the Henrico County Civic League, Helen made an indelible impression on the history of Henrico County and continued serving on the Henrico County Virginia Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Association.

A woman of faith and fervent prayer, Helen accepted Jesus Christ at the age of seven at Cedar Street Baptist Church and later devoted herself as a servant leader at Saint Peter Baptist Church.  At Saint Peter, she was honored to serve in multiple capacities and especially loved serving as a Deacon on the Team 3 Diaconate and Yokefellow Ministries.

She leaves to cherish her legacy of faith and love her two children, Elder Alaine Jackson (Bishop Dr. Charles) and Rev. Dr. Emanuel C. Harris (Shirelle); devoted and loving brother, Andrew C. Epps III; five grandchildren, Minister Aleasha Jackson, Minister Charles "C.J." Jackson IV (Akia), Minister Alexis Jackson, Arayana Harris, and Emanuel Harris Jr.; great-grandson, Charles "J5" Jackson V; wonderful brother-in-law, Freddie McLaurin; sisters-in-law, Dianne Peeples and Sheila Epps, a host of loving and dedicated nieces and protective nephews, beloved cousins, phenomenal god-children, amazing students, loyal long-time friends, and supportive colleagues.