Obituary of Niketa Harris

While the country celebrated Independence Day on Friday, July 4, 1980, George Cardigan and Patricia Ann Harris celebrated the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Niketa Naron Harris. She was born on a beautiful hot day in Detroit, Michigan.

Her Family affectionally called her Teen which was her nickname. She was Blessed with a large, loving and supportive Family Village that included Aunts, Uncles and cousins who were important in her life. Teen’s family was fun-loving and food-loving. Teen once commented, “I’m not going to be fat hungry but fat full”. Her favorite food items were fried chicken, Nathan’s Hot Dogs and her dad’s collard greens and ribs.  She definitely had the “Harris Appetite”.

As a young girl, Niketa attended and was Baptized at Majority Baptist Church in Queens Village, New York. Throughout her life she kept God first, continuing to pray throughout her days. She dealt with her health challenges as well as life’s ups and downs with amazing Faith and perseverance.  

Niketa was educated in the Roosevelt school system. She attended Washington Rose Elementary as well as Roosevelt Middle/Senior High School. During her time in middle school, her love of Tennis developed under the coaching of Ms. Emily Moore and her greater love of Basketball flourished under Coach Don Crummel. She was a phenomenal player on the girls’ basketball team called the Lady Riders. She received many trophies and honors for her tennis and basketball skills. She was a two-time All-County Selection in basketball and an All-County Selection in Track and Field in the shot put and discus. She was chosen to the Second-Team All Long Island in her senior year for basketball and Niketa was the Roosevelt High School Athlete of the Year. Niketa graduated in 1998 from Roosevelt High School and was awarded an athletic scholarship to attend the University of New Haven Connecticut.

Niketa’s natural ability for basketball brought her talents to another level at New Haven where she became a part of the Chargers basketball team. Under the coaching of Mary Ann Palazzi, Athletics Director Debbie Chin and her amazing teammates, Niketa blossomed personally and athletically. As a freshman she stepped up immediately starting 11 games and playing in all 27 contests. In her sophomore year she was the Chargers main threat and was one of the top post players in the NECC.

She received a Bachelor of Science in recognition of the completion of the prescribed curriculum in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven.

Niketa was generous, selfless, kind and loving to her family and friends. She was an amazing daughter, a loving sister and selfless friend.

Niketa passed peacefully from this life on Monday, August 23^rd when God sent an Angel to take her home to rest her mind, body and spirit.

Mourning the loss of Niketa’s beautiful loving spirit are her Parents, George and Patricia Harris; Momma Daphne Harris; Brothers: Perris, Cardigan (Pelow), Melvin (Damon) Turner and Jemel Turner; Sisters: Tedra (Tessie) Whitcomb, Jakim (Kim) Turner and Kianna (Kai); Brother-in-law Leonard Whitcomb Sr.; Sister-in-law Jeaneria Harris; Nephews: Tyshawn, Amir, Perris Jr., Leonard II., Ramadi, Jemel Jr., JaeJuan and Milo; Nieces: Trista, Kiyanna, Alexa, Damaiya, Xian, Miora, Joi, Shaniya and Imani as well as a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends.

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Special Thanks to the Staff of The Grand Rehabilitation Center at South Point in Long Beach, NY for your incredible care and nurturing over the many years.