Loved ones bid final farewell to Fort Myers mother

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Ebony Brown wiped away the tears falling from her eyes Friday at the funeral of her mother, 50-year-old Alberta Harris.

A woman belted a heartfelt song as people paid respects to the Fort Myers mother, who was reported missing in early April then later discovered dead outside of Hendry County.

Brown wore a crown of flowers while other loved ones were dressed in pink, Harris’ favorite color. Photos of the Lehigh Elementary bus driver showed her smiling face as mourners broke down in tears and were comforted by others in the room.

“Alberta she was very sweet, always smiling, good-hearted,” one woman recalled.

Harris was laid to rest in a white casket with gold embellishments. With bowed heads, several somber men carried her out of the funeral hall. Many remembered Harris as having a heart of gold.

“They say you can tell a lot about a person by the lives they’ve changed and the impact they’ve made. We just never imagined that we’d be giving you your flowers this way,” a speaker said at the funeral.

White and pink flowers were laid on her casket and a memorial paid tribute to Harris’ love of softball. The game became a metaphor for her journey after death.

“But much like the game of softball, the ultimate goal is to make it home,” a speaker said. “So we’ll continue to look to the skies with a smile on our face because with God now pitching the game we know there will be nothing but home runs.”