Clara Hannah Harris Ringgold, better known to all as “MomMom Ringgold” was born on November 21, 1925 in Woodbine, PA to the late Benson Samuel Harris and Mary Etta Johnson Harris. She peacefully and quietly departed this life on Monday October 31, 2016 at Lorien Bulle Rock in Harve de Grace, Maryland.

At an early age Clara attended Fawn Grove A.M.E Zion Church in New Park, PA,. She attended Lower Chanceford Elementary School, Bald Eagle School, and Fawn Township Vocational High School in Pennsylvania. Education was very important to Clara and she encouraged all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to further pursue their education. She attended every graduation, school function and was a frequent visitor during American education week. She was known by all of the school nurses; as she was often the first responder, rushing to pick up her sick grand children from school.

Clara was united in holy matrimony to the late Julius A. Ringgold for 60 years. She was a faithful and supportive wife to her husband, and a loving and understanding mother to her children. She always said “There is nothing more important than family”.

After marrying Julius and moving to Aberdeen, MD she became a member and Sunday school teacher of Union United Methodists Church better known as “Swan Creek” in Aberdeen, MD. Clara made the decision to rededicate her life to Christ and was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost on July 23, 1983 at Zion Temple Church under the leadership of the late Dorothy V. Barnes. She also served under the leadership of Bishop Mark A. Moore Sr. and had most recently served under the leadership of Dr. L. LaMont Turner. As a member there she served on and participated in various ministries within the church. In 2015, she was inducted as an official church mother of Zion Temple Church. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 139.

For many years Clara worked as a household technician for multiple families. She also worked at Sam Sticklers grocery store in Pennsylvania.

Clara’s home was a place of warmth and love that welcomed all. She could often be found sitting on her front porch watching her grandchildren or in her favorite chair watching either Family Feud or Jimmy Swaggart. Clara loved her family and loved to attend family gatherings, especially the Christmas dinner in York, PA and the family picnic held at Muddy Run Park. Clara was a faithful card sender. Friends and family could count on a card from her for every birthday and holiday.

She leaves to cherish her memory 2 devoted daughters, Marva Choates (Odell), Judith Davis,; 4 sons, Dale Harris Sr. (Mary), Larry Ringgold (Carolyn), Douglas Ringgold (Barbara), Marcus Ringgold (Tara), 1 son-in-law Macon Tucker Jr.,; 22 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren. 3 sisters-in-law Florence Ringgold, Hampton, VA, Geraldine Harris and Mary Harris, York, PA.,1 God-child Gary Tildon, 1 adopted daughter, Madeline Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Julius A. Ringgold, daughter Susan Tucker, 6 sisters Helen Hall, Edith Green, Anna Beattie, Marion Brooks, Sarah Barton, and Lucy Jones, 2 brothers Roy Harris Sr. and James Harris.; son-in-law Gilbert Davis, and a daughter-in-law Margaret Ringgold.