Dr. Joe Anna Williams-Harris

Dr. Joan (Joe Anna) Williams - Harris, Thd., Phd., was born in Adams, Tennessee to the late James Edward Williams and Venonia Zetta Stewart. She was the 2nd of 12 children.

Dean, as Joan she was affectionately known, began her life of learning in the Detroit Public School System, Graduating from Eastern High School. She continued to expand her education and was admitted to the Detroit Institute of Commerce, receiving a certificate of Executive Secretary. Afterwards, Dean Joan attended the Detroit College of Business earning her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree on 12/14/90; additionally, she received From the United Christian College, a Bachelor of Religious Education Degree on 05/25/97. From The Holy Trinity College, a Master of Christian Education was earned on 12/17/09; From The United Theological College, Dean Joan earned her Doctoral distinction of a Doctor of Theology on 05/10/11, continuing to learn, she earned from Emmanuel Theological Seminary, A Doctor of Philosophy Degree on 05/21/12; From Oakland University a certificate in Human Resources Development; from George Washington University a Certificate of Employment in Security Accounting; Dr. Dean Joan, loved education and studying. She would attend seminars for years at the, Basic Life Institute with Bill Gothard. Dr. Dean Joan, was certified as an Evangelical Training Institute Teacher, and taught many classes in Michigan and Tennessee. She was a member of several outreach ministries, evangelizing at prisons, nursing homes, churches and private homes. 

 Dr. Dean Joan was employed by the Great Lakes Mutual Life Insurance in Detroit, MI; Occidental Life Insurance in California; Fairmont Foods in Detroit, MI and finally settled into her career for The State of Michigan as a Database Programmer and excelled to an Accountant within several areas for the State of Michigan, after 27 ½ years, she retired. She was a member of the Association of Government Accountants until her transition.

 Dr. Dean Joan was married to Fletcher Harris who has preceded her in death. No children were born to this union.

 Dr. Dean Joan accepted Christ on Palm Sunday in 1982 and she committed her life to God being saved, sanctified and Holy Ghost filled at Solomon’s Temple Apostolic Church in Detroit, MI under the leadership of the late Bishop William L Bonner. Dr. Dean Joan was very active in ministry, serving in many capacities such as the Missionary Department and The Mother’s Board, where she enjoyed visiting nursing homes and prisons, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Dr. Dean Joan loved learning and teaching, so much so, the students and faculty called her “Dean”. She received a Certificate of Appreciation from The Berea School of Theology for starting the Biblical Library which was the beginning of her learning from Berea School of Theology. 

 After retiring from the State of Michigan, Dr Dean Joan moved back to Clarksville, Tennessee settling in the Township of Cunningham. She transferred her church membership to True way Apostolic Church under the Pastoral Leadership of Apostle, Henry Davenport. At the leading of the Holy Spirit Dean Joan began the W. L. Bonner Bible Institute at True way, In Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Joan was the Dean of studies for 12 years. Dr. Dean Joan co-founded a family church in Clarksville, TN called True-Live In God Church. It was important to her that her family to be saved and have a church home which was True to God and True to living a dedicated life to Christ. One of her favorite scriptures is Matt 6:33 “But Seek First The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness And All These Things Shall Be Added To You”. 

 Dr. Dean Joan loved spending time with JC (Jesus Christ), her family and friends, she enjoyed traveling all over the world: she has been blessed to visit the Bahamas Island; Jamaica; Twice to The Holy Land where she was baptized in the Jordan River; Italy and Greece were also a few of her special places.

 Dr. Dean Joan Williams Harris entered Hospice care in April of 2024 and made her peaceful transition to her heavenly mansion in the sky on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

 Dr. Dean Joan was preceded in death by her parents James Edward Williams and Venonia Zetta Stewart; four (4) sisters Gabrielle Brown, Ruby Thornton, Veronica Poindexter and Gloria Faye Slayden. She Leaves to cherish her life legacy: Goddaughter Evangelist Caron Rice; three (3) Brothers: James (Tracie) Williams, Ramon (Lisa) Williams, Fernando (Susie) Williams. Three (3) Sisters: Elder Margaret Sparkman, Linda (Frederick) Waldon and Catherine Baynham; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.