Etta Mae Quarles was born on September 6, 1927, to the late James and Tommie Mae
Harris in Saluda, South Carolina. She was the oldest of seven children born to this union.
As a child, Etta spent her years in South Carolina until the family migrated to Washington D.C.
She assumed her responsibility as the eldest child, and worked and assisted the family until she
married James Quarles in 1945. They became parents to Geraldine M. Williams and James
Quarles Jr.

Etta gave her life to Christ at an early age in South Carolina. She worked at numerous jobs, but spent the majority of her professional life as a
nursing assistant at the Washington Hospital Center in the Pediatric Ward. She retired from the
Washington Hospital Center.

Etta will be remembered as a person who loved her family deeply and always put them first.
She stayed with family members when they were sick or needed assistance. She helped them
when they were recovering from after being released from the hospital. Etta had a beautiful
way of connecting with people. Family and friends would often come to the family home to
share in her delicious food - her speciality was her fried chicken. She was always in good spirits
and had a smile on her face. Etta's mind was sharp and she liked to reminisce about her past
and share her stories. She always made people feel like they were special and loved.
Etta quietly and peacefully answered the call of her heavenly Father into eternal rest on
Wednesday, January 9, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Quarles;
children, James Quarles, Jr. and Geraldine Williams; siblings, Gary Harris, Charles T. Harris,
Lucretia L. Harris, and Doris Herron; and her parents, James and Tommie Mae Harris.

Etta leaves to cherish her memories a son-in-law, L.M.
Williams, one grandson, Laurence (Khai) Williams; two great grandchildren, Kayla and Derrick
Williams, one sister, Iris (Mack) Burnell, one sister-in-law, Helen Harris, five nephews, Michael
(Tracy) Burnell, Marc Burnell, Andre (Angie) Herron, Gary O. Harris, Christian Harris; three
nieces, Dorothea Herron, Carla Harris, Gitana Harris, Aunt Ruth Harris and a host of great
nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.