Emlory “Lory” Woodard Harris-Beasley, a name she lovingly called “a mouthful”, was born on February 10, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan to Bertha and Emlory Woodard.

A proud graduate of Michigan State University, Lory moved to Akron, Ohio, shortly after graduation. There, she met and married Ted Harris, and to their union two children were born: Teddy (Deidre) and Cindy (“Cinderella”). When she married Ted, she was also blessed with two daughters, Cheryl (deceased) and Sylvia. After Ted’s passing, she later married Paul Beasley or as she fondly wrote, “Paul the Great :)” Paul was indeed a blessing to her. Through that union, she inherited six more children and many cherished grandchildren.

Lory was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and Emlory Woodard; her first husband, Theodis “Ted” Harris; and her daughter, Cheryl.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children Theodore “Teddy” (Deidre) Harris, Cynthia “Cindy” Harris, and Sylvia Harris Douglas; beloved grandchildren Isaiah, Aliyah, Sophia (Reece), Lauryn, Morgan, and Camryn; her brothers Warren (Denise) Woodard and Chris Woodard; five nieces; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, extended family, and close friends who loved her dearly.

Lory accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at a young age. She attempted to behave as she believed. A dedicated member of the Macedonia Baptist Church since 1975, Lory often shared how deeply she loved her church family. At Macedonia, she served faithfully on the Praise Team, as a Superintendent of Sunday School, a Sunday School Teacher, and a beloved member of the Adult Sunday School Class.

Her Saturday mornings were filled with great joy as she was a faithful member of the PUSH Prayer Ministry (Pray Until Something Happens) and the Founder and Creator of the Saturday Morning Women’s Bible Study, which brought her great joy to prepare for and lead each week. Lory also loved community worship through events such as Leslie Parker Barnes & Friends and Gospel Meets Symphony.

Lory found joy in life’s simple moments. She loved Motown music and danced with joy whenever she heard it. She replayed memories of singing Motown music with her brother, Chris, as those were some of her favorite childhood memories. Each spring, she loved “digging in the dirt” – planting her beloved flower gardens, which she faithfully planted each year with care and pride. She cherished FaceTime calls with Cindy during her travels around the world and looked forward to visits to Columbus to see Teddy and Cindy in person. Her days were filled with the routines she enjoyed which included weekly hair and nail appointments, playing solitaire on her phone, and sharing laughter with Paul over Sunday meals at Applebee’s, O’Charley’s, or Olive Garden. She also loved visiting her now-deceased Mother-In-Law “Ma.” Lory treasured long catch-up calls with her brothers, Warren and Chris, and visits with family in Detroit, where memories always flowed freely and family photo albums were always brought out. At home, she loved playing her piano (the five songs she still knew – ha!), hosting backyard cookouts for her family, and spending time with the children in her life, who brought her endless joy. Ever the caretaker, she also took pride in managing her rental properties, viewing it not as business but as ministry… her way of providing decent housing for decent people, just as her late husband Ted once did.

From her pen, Lory wanted you to know: “Remember, today is the day of salvation. Don’t get caught dead without a relationship with Jesus Christ.” She also wanted you to be reminded of Pastor Glenn’s saying: “Absent from the body, present with the Lord!!!” What a journey it’s been.