Maggie Hines Harris

Maggie Hines Harris, often called “Mother Madge” by her Church family, was born on May 23, 1925, in Red Springs, North Carolina to the late John Wesley and Julia Bell Hines. Her husband, Raymond Harris Sr. and her son, Raymond Harris Jr. preceded her in death.

After a few days of illness, God called Mother Madge to a peaceful rest, with little discomfort and suffering. Just a few short days prior to her passing, Mother Madge continued reading her bible (small print), each night at bedtime. She said she wanted the last thing on her mind before falling asleep to be the voice of God. As a Christian woman who always had the Lord on her mind and in her heart, she listened to recordings by leading gospel artists, singing along in her high soprano voice. As her final song, on Monday, April 25th, she sang the Lord’s Prayer and said, “I wish I could sing this song one more time at New Zion”. New Zion, of course, was the place of worship she most enjoyed being with people of God.

Mother Madge was educated in Greensville County Public Schools, in Emporia, VA and was baptized at an early age. She and her family joined Royal Baptist Church, where she served as a Deaconess, missionary, and choir member. Having six children, Mother Madge was predominantly a stay-at-home mom until her husband passed. A few years following his death, she moved to Washington, DC, where she studied and became a Key Punch Operator at Vitro Laboratories. Upon her retirement, she became more active in her church, Vermont Avenue Baptist; feeding the homeless, passing out clothing to the poor, and singing in the choir. She later joined Gethsemane Baptist Church, where she served as President of the Pastor’s Aide Ministry and sang in the choir. She also served as Worthy Matron, Order of the Eastern Star, Martha Chapter No. 11, Washington, DC. When Mother Madge moved to the Williamsburg area, she joined New Zion Baptist Church, where she espoused her great love for Pastor, First Lady, the Senior Program, Senior Choir, and all the congregants.

At New Zion, Mother Madge was involved in delivering fliers to hotels and labeling bags for the Harvest Feast, delivering lunches to school children, delivering church DVD’s, singing in the Senior and Volunteer Choirs, ringing the Salvation Army Bell, gathering clothing for delivery to Africa, and visiting hospitals and nursing homes.

Mother Madge leaves to cherish her memory five children; Joan Stephens (Bobby), Faye Garner (Melvin), Connie Heyward (Ron), Clifton Harris (Sandra), and Ervin Harris (Marner); six grandchildren (Desmond Stephens, Salminio Garner, Monica Cooley, Ervin Harris, Jr., Tonya Harris, and James Broadus); six great grandchildren (Taylor Stephens, Christian Stephens, Clifton Price, Eric Harris, Christina Harris and Jai Cooley); a Sis-in-Law (Frances Hines); and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and her New Zion Baptist Church Family.

While we will no longer see Mother Madge’s face, we will always have a visual of her smiling and encouraging others and wearing her gloves and hats.

A graveside service for Maggie will be held Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 12:00 PM at New Zion Baptist Church, 3991 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Harris family.