Deacon Clarence Harris

Deacon Jonie “Clarence” Harris, son of late Ella and Lloyd Harrison and a native of Garysburg, North Carolina, born on July 29, 1926, departed this life on June 26, 2019. He was blessed to have seen 92 years. Surely, he was blessed by God. Deacon Harris was drafted into the Army Airforce Service. After military service he came back to Virginia and worked at the Naval Yard and Ammunition Depot, later working as a Long Shore man Supervisor until he retired with 33 years of service.

His hobbies included watching baseball, shooting pool, playing cards, reading the newspaper and watching the grand kids play and grow. Vacations with his family were a particular love of his. He also loved singing and making noise around the house.

He joined Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA after serving in the military. He was a faithful member under the leadership of Rev. Joe B. Fleming, he sang in three choruses, and he was very active in several auxiliaries in the Church. Later in life he met and married the love of his life Queenie M. Holland, and from the union were four children: Deborah Thomas (James), Ronald Holland (Ingrid), Patricia Grant (Bobby, deceased), and Carla Holland. He also had eleven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and two great great granddaughters. He has two nephews, Phillip L. Harrison (Sonny) and his wife Linda as well as Monroe Harris (Marie). He also has two nieces, Barbara J. Robinson and Phyllis L. Logan. Other family includes a host of great-nephews, great nieces, and other relatives and friends.

Later in life Deacon Harris and wife Queenie moved to Maryland with their daughter and son-in-law. They both soon joined Hear the Word Bible Church under the leadership of Dr. Thomas E. Cunningham. Deacon Harris and Queenie both were elders in the church.

Deacon Harris was predeceased by five bothers, Phillip Harrison Sr., Lawrence Harrison, Henderson Harrison, Thomas Harrison, and Wesley Harrison, as well as two sisters Elizabeth Harrison and Hazel Gleeton.