Willie James Harris

Deacon Emeritus Willie James Harris, 94, was born December 12th, 1929 by assistance of a midwife at home in Wilcox County in Catherine/Flatwood, AL to loving parents Eddie Harris and Louise Crear Harris. He was the second of 15 children and the eldest son. Mr. Harris peacefully departed this earthly life on Thursday, September 26th, 2024 at The Retreat Hospice by SAAD surrounded by loved ones. He was a resident of Prichard, AL for 65 years where he raised his family of 7 children and a loving, dedicated wife. He was educated in a Lutheran school and later enlisted in the United States Army. As a young child he attended his mother’s church, Salem Baptist, and his father’s church, St. Mary’s AME. Mr. Harris’s children wanted to know about when he acted badly or did something wrong, but his mother would share that “Willie is a good child, I don’t know anything he did wrong,” speaking to his lifetime of living an upstanding life. He prided himself on taking good care of his loved ones.

After an honorable service to the U.S. Military where he served his country during the Korean Conflict and received a purple heart medal, Willie James attended The Branch (now Bishop State Community College) and was recruited to integrate the unit into the National Guard Army Reserve at Fort Whiting and became the first African-American there. Dec. Harris seemed unable to understand the words “retirement” and “take it easy” and as such, worked full time at Brookley Fields Air Force Base as a security guard, with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier, and with the MARC as a van driver. He also held a part time job at Ford Lumber Company and Sterling Construction to ensure he was well equipped to take care of his wife (Verna Pearl McGadney Harris) & 7 children. He worked until he was 89 years young.

As a young serviceman, Willie met avid traveler Verna Pearl McGadney in Selma, AL where he agreed to take her luggage down and carry it. They were united in holy matrimony in March of 1952 and he continued carrying her suitcases until she died in 2018. The young couple wanted a church they could walk to so they decided on Holmes Street Missionary Baptist Church in Prichard, AL under the leadership of Pastor T.J. Hatcher. They remained faithful members of Holmes Street under the leadership of Pastor Keithraum D. Leatherwood until both of their transitions to the promised land. Mr. Harris humbly served as an usher, trustee, deacon, assistant superintendent, general superintendent and Baptist training union teacher.

Dec. Harris not only supported his church, but reached out & willingly served locally as 2nd Vice President at the Sunlight District Association. He also served in the Congress of Christian Education as an instructor as well as an annual student who encouraged his family and others to participate at the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. He also served as a president of the interdenominational Church School and Training School of Metropolitan Mobile.

Dec. Harris was preceded in death by his parents - Edd Harris and Louise Crear Harris, his loving wife - Verna Pearl McGadney Harris, his youngest daughter - Linda Renee Harris Burrell, one daughter-in-law - Elaine Harris; granddaughter - DeShaun Maria Harris, 3 sisters - Reola Harris Davis, Pattie Harris Davis and Pearlie Harris Foster, and 4 brothers - Joseph Harris, George Harris, Percy Harris, and Leotis Harris. He was also preceded in death by 4 brothers-in-law Frank Davis, George Davis, Willie Foster and Haywood Bossie; and 2 Sisters-in-law - Dean Sampson Harris and Dorothy Harris.

He leaves to cherish, reflect & carry on his legacy 6 children - Marvin (Bessie) Harris of Tallahassee, FL; Phyllis (Minister Preston L. Scarbrough) Maria Harris, Gregory Harris and Carl Harris of Prichard, AL; Kenneth Harris of Montgomery, AL; and Rodrick Harris of Mobile, AL; Son-in-law Thomas Sidney Burrell; 9 grandchildren - NaShannia (Vincent) Hudson of Diberville, MS; Ywaunothy Burton, Kenneth (YoShino) James Marquise Harris, and Courtney Harris of Montgomery, AL; Nicole (Renaldo) Renee Burrell Brooks of Spring, TX; Charletta (George) Jeanette Burrell Redd of Zachary, LA; Christina Denise Burrell of Boston, MA; Douglas James Harris Rowe of Fitchburg, MA; and Alexis Hall of Mobile, AL; 16 great-grandchildren - Amber Hudson, A’Myah Hudson, Jalyn Hudson, Maria Nicole Harris, Mario Marquise Harris, Deandre Harris, Trenycia Harris, Z’Nyah Harris, Jayla Harris, Nevaeh Harris, Skye Harris, Valerie Renee Brooks, Sterling Demetrius Brooks, Kenneth Renaldo Brooks, Sean Anthony Brooks, Sydney Renae Redd, 2 great-great grandchildren - Ayden and Princeton; 4 siblings – Mary Ella Harris Anderson, Cleotis Harris, Lottie Mae Harris Bossie, and Eddie Lee Harris; Adopted in love children: Brother & Sister Frankie (Mary) Taylor, and a host of other cherished family and friends, including the Holmes Street Missionary Baptist Church Family.

A visitation for Willie will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Pine Crest Funeral Home, 1939 DAUPHIN ISLAND PKWY, MOBILE, AL 36605. A funeral service will occur Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Holmstreet Missionary Baptist Church 316 Max St, Prichard, AL 36610 and a committal service will occur Monday, October 7, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort, 34904 AL-225, Spanish Fort, AL 36577.