In loving memory of Harriet Ann Byers-Weaver

Obituary

Harriet Weaver was born Harriet Ann Byers on August 25, 1953, at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York to parents Dorothy Jackson and Harry Byers Jr., both now deceased.
As a child, Harriet attended the local Catholic Church in New York City on the weekends with her father. She was an inquisitive child and asked questions like: “Why does the priest speak in Latin?” u Is it really hot in hell?” “What do good people do if they go to heaven?” ‘”Can these statues hear my prayers?” “Why do I have to kiss the ring of the bishop?” The most prominent answer was, “It’s a mystery.” No one ever tried to investigate or research these mysteries to make her understand.

Harriet remained confused about these questions until, at age 10, she was sent to Meridian, Mississippi to live with her grandparents. At the age of 16, her sister, Velma was in transition to move from New York to South Carolina where there was a family who was sent to serve where the need for Bible teachers was great. Whenever Harriet would ask questions of her sister Velma, even a sarcastic one, Velma would get the Bible and point to particular scriptures to give the answer. Velma moved to Florida while Harriet remained in Mississippi.
One particular summer, Harriet was visiting one of her cousins in New York. Neither one understood the
Catholic faith. So, the cousin said, “I’m going to be Muslim.” Harriet said, “One day I am going to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

As time went on. Harriet graduated high school in Meridian and subsequently married her high school sweetheart, Johnny Lee Weaver, Jr. She then had the opportunity to study with a special pioneer who faced many personal challenges. But no matter the circumstances, the pioneer continued to conduct Harriet’s study on a regular basis. She provided answers to a bombardment of questions, always referring to the Bible. Two children and three years later, Harriet permanently moved to Sanford, Florida. Her husband had left her. Her sister, Velma, graciously took them in at her 2-bedroom, I bath home with her own family which consisted of her husband and 3 children. There was a total of 8 people in the small house.

Eventually, the Weaver family of 3 found an apartment of their own and Harriet continued to progress in her study of the Bible. The “friends” (Jehovah’s Witnesses), from Tampa to Daytona came to know and love Harriet and her children. On December 3, 1972, Harriet symbolized her dedication to Jehovah and was baptized in a brother’s swimming pool on Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando, Florida. She was so moved by the true love and generosity the friends that she knew, without a doubt, she had found a home with a true family; a family who shared the same goal, that of teaching the Bible to others who had the right heart condition and to teach them to do the same. Harriet was ultimately blessed, after 50 years, to be able to serve in the Regular Pioneer Service. She started out by trying and reaching a goal of 30 hours a month in the preaching and teaching work during the Circuit
Overseer’s visit and during Special Campaigns. She noticed how much she enjoyed her time in the ministry and the wonderful association with the friends. She then auxiliary pioneered temporarily and enjoyed the great encouragement she received to continue on in her service. One day she asked an elder, “What happens if I don’t like being a pioneer?’ He told her, “You just quit.”

Harriet reflects: “So, I tried it and liked it and decided to regular pioneer to meet the 70-hour requirement. Then I got sick and got scared that I would have to quit because I couldn’t make my hours. Jehovah must have known my struggles because soon afterwards, the Society changed the hours to 50 and I was able to continue.
Harriet continued to serve her God Jehovah Almighty and to thank him for allowing his son, Jesus Christ to die for her. She was faithful and loyal to Jehovah until her death.
Harriet had two fleshly sisters, Mrs. Felicia Speight, and Mrs. Velma Banks, both who preceded her in death. Harriet is survived by one daughter, Johnitha V. Pugh and her granddaughter, Kazsha Elayne Pugh who both loved and cared for her until she closed her eyes in death. She also has one son, Harry D. Byers, who fathered five children: Gabriella Byers, Marcus Byers, James Byers, Jared Byers, and Madison Tharpe.
Harriet is also survived by her nieces Tonya Mitchell, Scenta Lee, April Lewis, Terry Banks. Aliyah Speight, Alisha Speight and one nephew Barry Banks. She has a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, and great-grandchildren throughout the country. All will miss her dearly.