Theresa Harris-Scaggs
Theresa was born on January 29, 1958, to the union of Iree and William Harris, Sr. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her formal education from the Milwaukee Public School System and graduated from Washington High School in 1976.
Theresa accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized at Hephatha Lutheran Church where she sang in the Youth Gospel Choir. She also worked every summer in the church's Summer Youth Program. Theresa was a member of the Ko-Thi Dance Company for many years. In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading romance and mystery novels.
On June 5, 1993, Theresa was united in holy matrimony to Wesley Scaggs, Jr. To this union, they shared three daughters.
Theresa worked for many years as a Train Traffic Controller for the Canadian-Pacific Railroad. She also worked for the legendary NBA Basketball Player, Bob Lanier, as a Creative Marketing Assistant. She was known for her infectious smile and kind demeanor.
Theresa lobbied for African American children with Sickle Cell to receive better health care. She organized blood drives and advocated for funding for scientific research. She worked tirelessly and fiercely to ensure that social workers were educated and available to understand the needs of Sickle Cell patients.
Theresa was known for her love of various music genres specifically, Jazz, Gospel and R&B. In her later years, she alongside her husband, sang with the Carthage College Gospel Messengers traveling throughout the United States.
On Friday, July 3, 2020, Theresa entered into eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her parents, lree Harris-Sledge (Thomas Sledge) and William Harris; father-in-law, Wesley Scaggs, Sr. and mother-in-law, Gaynell Scaggs; sister, Loretta Butler and brother William Harris, Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory: husband, Wesley Scaggs, Jr.; three daughters, Teresa R. Scaggs, Ayanna "Devon" Smith and Patricetiss “Kim” Scaggs; five grandchildren, Payton Sartin, Octavia Smith, Taylor Smith, Kennedy Scaggs and Chance Smith; eight siblings: Larry Harris, Gloria (William) Kemp, Ronald (Kimberly) Harris, Darlette Scott, Darrell Harris, Antoinette Williams, LaTonya (Darrell) Williams and Juanita Harris as well as a host of loving relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held for Theresa on Saturday, July 11, 2020, from 10:00am until the time of services at 11:00am, all at Jelacic Funeral Home, 5639 West Hampton Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53218, Rev. Dr. Benjamin Tobin, officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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