On November 27, 2022 we lost a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Ceretta has gone home to be with our Lord and Savior and those that proceeded her in death. Ceretta Raines was born January 23, 1949 at Pittman Hospital in Fayetteville, North Carolina to the late Burrell, Sr. and Daisy Raines.
Ceretta was the 2nd born of 8 children. She took pride in being that older sister who was there for her siblings when needed.
Ceretta was educated in the Cumberland County School System where she attended North Street Elementary, Washington Drive Junior High, and a proud graduate of E.E. Smith Senior High School,
Ceretta married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, James Harris, Jr on February 7,1970. In their union 2 children were born, Karenda and James III. Ceretta was a loyal and dedicated wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She was very proud of her family.
Ceretta began her spiritual journey as small child at the church she was born and raised, John Wesley United Methodist Church. Ceretta is a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. She was very active in the church serving on many committees and organizations within the church: President of the United Methodist Women, Sunday School Teacher, Communion Steward, Council on Ministries, and most notably United Methodist Youth Coordinator. She served the church faithfully by doing whatever she was called to do. Ceretta attended Simpson-Gillespie United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC where she was a Communion Steward and a member of the United Methodist Women, until her death.
Ceretta began her career in banking more than40 years ago. She started her career as a teller, then became Head Teller, and was able to work her way up to Branch Manager. She was ecstatic to be in the Customer Service Industry. She was employed by Southern National Bank, BB&T, and Texas Bank. When Ceretta moved to Oklahoma she decided to go in a different direction where she began a new career with HR Block as a Tax Preparer and later Branch Manager. She retired with more than 4 decades providing services to others.
Ceretta was a great person who cherished the times she spent with family and friends. When you needed her, she was just a phone call away and willing to help in any way she could.
Ceretta leaves to cherish her memories her loving husband of 52 years, James Harris Jr, two children, Karenda Harris and James Harris, III, a daughter-in-law Tatjana Hattis, two grandchildren Tyrelle Rackwitz and Kyara Harris; six sisters Louise Green (William), Gloria Hashemi, Yuvone Raines, Marilyn McIntyre (Kenny), Charlotte Robinson, Glenda Ellerbee (Joseph); and the late Burrell Raines Jr., Nieces and Nephews, Olivia Mudd, Cookab Hashemi, David Jones, Marchella Jones, Sema Hashemi (David), Joseph Jones (Christy), Connie Raines, Rev. Monica Raines, Joseph Ellerbee, Jr., Jessica Henderson (Jeff), Janice Raines, the late Lauren Robinson, William Green, III, and a host of great Nieces and Nephews, Cousins, and Friends.
