Rita L. (Taggart) Harris

Rita L. Harris, 66, of Rock Island, passed away Friday October 11, 2019 at UPH Trinity, Rock Island.

Funeral services will be 11:00am Friday at Church of Christ, 4800 38th Avenue, Moline. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00pm Thursday at Wheelan Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Burial will be in Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island. Memorials may be left to the family.

Rita was born on December 23, 1952 in Morganza, LA, the daughter of Howard and Mildred (Brown) Veal. She was raised by her mother Mildred and step father Archie Taggart. She was a graduate of Rock Island High School in 1970. She married the love of her life, James Harris on March 22, 1975 in Rock Island, with whom she spent the last fifty years.

Mrs. Harris was the owner and operator of Mrs. Rita’s Day Care, Rock Island, since 2001. Previously she had been employed at the former Farmall, Seaford Clothing, Rainbow Head Start and was the office manager with National Contractors.

She was a member of West Side Church of Christ, Rock Island and Child Care Resource and Referral. Rita loved her family, her greatest joy was her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, cooking, shopping and taking family vacations. She was always there to care for her family and was a second mother to many.

Survivors include her husband of forty four years, James; mother, Mildred Taggart; children, Tracee Harris, Temia (Brian) Holliday; Travis Harris, all of Rock Island; grandchildren, Diontae McBride, DeVonne Harris, Christopher Holliday, Klara Arrington, Travion Jefferson – Collins; great grandchildren, Chauncey McBride and Cydney Vaughn; siblings, Jerod Taggart, Jossie Pulliam and Mary Campbell.

She was preceded in death by her father, Howard; step father, Archie; siblings, Patricia Harvey, Diane Overton, Lisa Taggart; great granddaughter, Aaliyah McBride and nephew, Anthony Harvey.

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