Virginia G. “Ginny” Harris, a retired Baltimore public schools educator who later earned her real estate license, died Wednesday at Keswick Multi-Care Center of complications from Parkinson's disease. She was 88.

The daughter of Elmer Giles, a chauffeur and notary, and Areitta Giles, a homemaker, Virginia Giles was born and raised in East Baltimore.

After graduating in 1944 from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1948 from what is now Coppin State University. In 1952, she earned a master's degree in education from New York University.

Mrs. Harris began her teaching career in 1949 at School No. 29, which later became Matthew A. Henson Elementary School. She later joined the faculty at Elmer A. Henderson Elementary School.

She became a senior teacher at Hilton Elementary School and was principal of Malcolm X Elementary School from 1973 until retiring in 1979.

After retiring, Mrs. Harris earned her real estate license and worked for Century 21.

She was married in 1953 to Lonnie Harris, a Continental Can Co. worker and later a full-time shop steward. For years the couple lived on Leighton Avenue in West Baltimore. He died in 2013.

Since 2008, Mrs. Harris had lived in Pikesville.

She was an active member for 45 years of Heritage United Church of Christ, where she served with the Women's Guild Scholarship and Leadership Committee, as well as Soup and Sandwich Bible Study and Our Daily Bread Casserole Ministry.

A highlight of her life, family members said, was being baptized in the Jordan River by her church's pastor, the Rev. Wendell H. Phillips.

Mrs. Harris enjoyed traveling and attending cultural events and family gatherings.

Funeral services will be held at her church, 3106 Liberty Heights Ave., at 11 a.m. Monday.

She is survived by her two daughters, Bonnie Carlton and Rita Bowers, both of Pikesville; two sisters, Gwendolyn Rooks of Ten Hills and Clara Carter of Catonsville; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

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— Frederick N. Rasmussen