Harriett was born Edith Gibson on September 10, 1929 to Hollis Gibson and Elizabeth Martin Gibson in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in Wheaton, Illinois and was lovingly called "Tubby" by her family and friends. She attended Lowell Elementary School and graduated from Wheaton Community High School. She developed a strong work ethic at a very young age, which served her well throughout her entire life.

On September 28, 1959 Harriett married Sylvester Bradley Steele Jr. of Carbondale, Illinois. Into their union they each brought three children from previous marriages and relationships: Velma, Timothy, Gary, Theodore, Pandora and Allan. From their union came five children: Sylvia, Sherrie, Sylvester III, Robert and Cindy.

At an early age Harriett discovered that she was gifted with the ability to hear and play any type of music on the piano. She never had a formal music lesson and was actually told that she had a perfect ear for music, and already knew more by God's gifting than anyone could ever teach her. She faithfully served Second Baptist Church of Wheaton over 30 years as their Minister of Music. After retiring from the DuPage County they moved to Carbondale, Illinois where she served the music department of the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Over the years, Harriett mentored many young people to press on with their music abilities and keep God first in their lives. She always had words of wisdom to give.

Since Sylvester's passing in March 2006 all of Harriett's children cared for her with the greatest of love. They will all tell you it was an honor and a privilege to jointly care for their mother. She passed quietly in her sleep at her home the morning of April 5, 2017. All of her children understand her passing is from death to life eternal, and that they too must one day make this same journey. The loving memories of the woman affectionately known as Tubby, Mom, and Grandma will remain in the hearts of those she so gracefully loved. She was our Elijah, our sister in Christ, our intercessor, and our Queen.

Harriett was preceded in death by her husband of forty-seven years Sylvester "Brad" Steele, her sons Timothy Lawrence and Theodore Lee Gibson, and daughters Velma Walker and Cindy Arlene Miner; Her parents and four of her siblings: Francis Smith, Erma Williams, Charles Hollis Gibson, Charles Douglas Gibson and Melvin Gibson.

She leaves to cherish her memory and pass on her legacy: Pandora Denise Williams of Wheaton, IL; Sylvia Lynnteen (Franklin) of Huntsville, AL; Sherrie Beth (Emmitt) of Wheaton, IL; Robert Wayne (Jacquline) of Wheaton, IL; Sylvester Bradley III (Denise) of Wheaton, IL; twenty-nine grand-children and thirty-four great-grand children; three sisters, Gwendolyn McCreary of Carol Stream, IL; Victoria Caffey of Bolingbrook, IL; and Gloria Clayborne of San Bernardino, CA.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until the start of a Homegoing Celebration to be held at 11:00 a.m. at Peoples Community Church , 670 S. Lambert Road, in Glen Ellyn, IL. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.