Equilla Harris

Celebrating the Radiant Life of Equilla “Tootsie Roll” Harris

(September 23, 1945 - April 7, 2026)

With hearts full of gratitude for a life lived out loud, we celebrate Equilla Harris—known affectionately to everyone as "Toot” or “Tootsie Roll.” At 80 years young, Equilla transitioned, leaving behind a legacy of faith, strength, and unconditional love.

Born to the late Fred and Annie Dailey, Equilla was a firecracker from the start. She navigated life with a rare blend of grit and grace, anchored by a sense of humor that could brighten the dimmest room. She was the beloved wife of the late Bennie Frank Harris, with whom she shared a life filled with love, laughter, and dedication to family.

A Legacy of Love

Together, Bennie and Equilla built a strong and loving foundation, raising five wonderful children: Janice, Michael (Elizabeth), Tonya, Saundra, and Kenneth (Stephanie). To her children, she was a wellspring of wisdom; to her grandchildren—Chris (KD), Latonya, Bennie, and many others who called her grandma—and her great-grandson, Maliki, she was simply "the best." Whether she was whipping up soul food or offering one of her famous, bone-deep hugs, her home was the place where everyone felt they belonged.

Equilla’s heart was large enough to be a mother to many; she was a cherished aunt to a host of nieces and nephews, each of whom held a special place in her life and will carry forward her stories and her spark.

A Bond of Siblings

Equilla was part of a close-knit circle of siblings who shared life’s many chapters together. She is survived by her dear sister, Irma Cunningham, and her brother, Robert Lee Dailey. She now joins her late sister, Leila Mae, and her late brothers—Fred, Lloyd, and Thomas Dailey—in eternal rest. Their bond was filled with shared memories and an enduring connection that time could never fade.

A Beautiful Spirit

Equilla was a light to those who knew her for her radiant smile and gentle heart. She found her greatest joy in the "simple" things—which were actually the big things: a loud family gathering, a funny conversation, and the steady presence of those she loved. Though she has traded her earthly light for an eternal one, her spirit lives on in every meal we share and every laugh we echo in her honor.

“Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure. She is loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.”