Delores Cleopatria Harger's Obituary
Delores Harger was summoned to leave this world on October 28, 2012 to be with family and friends in heaven. Delores, “Dee” as she was often called, was a beautiful woman on the outside but her true beauty was on the inside. Delores Cleopatria Bradley was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 16, 1921. She had a rough childhood, losingher mother at an early age. She helped raise her younger brother, Kenny. After her father remarried during the Depression, Delores went to live with relatives where she met her future husband, Leland Harger. After their marriage, the couple moved to Berkeley when Leland was transferred to the Bay Area as a sailor. During this time Delores worked at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, building the famous Liberty Ships. They also started a family, eventually having three children. The family purchased a home in North Oakland in 1954.After divorcing in 1959, Delores was determined to keep her home at all costs, working at several blackowned historic businesses like Slim Jenkins, which wasinitially in west Oakland and then moved to Jack London Square, Esthers Orbit Room, the Sportsman Club and Famous California Hotel. Delores met a number of celebrities in the course of her employment, including Ike andTina Turner, several 49ers, Willie McCovey and Willie Mays just to name a few. She eventually quit waitressing and found employment in the large commercial dry cleaning business. After many years, with her children grown and out on their own, Delores decided to start her own business and began Little Smurfs Daycare for infants.She always loved babies and successfully operated her daycare for a number of years before she retired. She enjoyed her retirement, spending time with family and friends, traveling and doing ceramics. Delores was a high-stepping granny and loved to dance, wearing her red high heels and listening to the Blues. Delores is survived by her brother, Kenneth Bradley; three children, Teresita and partner Art, Bradley and wife Deborah, Sidney and wife Bettina; five grandchildren, Maliaka, Bradley II and wife Esmeralda, Vanessa, Allison and Alecia; three great grandchildren, Mahlonii, Mahkayla and Keoni; nephews Jonathon and Steven Bradley; cousin Virginia Smyly; niece Debbie Waters and family; two godchildren, Erin Washington and Blake Williams, as well as many friends who have always known her fondly as big momma and nanna. Condolences, [email protected].
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