James Joe Harris

James J. Harris met Loretta in Carbondale, Illinois. James and Loretta were married June 20, 1959, and welcomed one child Sheila Harris who blessed them with grandchildren, Sheronna, Khalia, Kelley; great-grandchildren; Tony II, Darrey’ana, Khyre, Eli and one great-great grandchild, Dakota.

Affectionately known by family and friends as Jimmy, he began his educational journey in Southern Illinois where he attended Attucks Elementary, Attucks High school, and Southern Illinois University. After moving to Chicago, he attended Kennedy King College and Moody Bible Institute. He graduated from the Chicago Baptist Institute June 3, 1988, with a B.A. in Theology. Continuing his graduate work, Jimmy attended the Chicago Theological Seminary (1988-1989) and Chicago State University studying Psychology (1990). After moving to Memphis, Tennessee he enrolled in a Doctoral program at Andersonville Theological Seminary. James J. Harris proudly served this country in the United States Army from July 27,1953 and received an honorable discharge October 9, 1956.

His faith was the foundation of everything he did. Rev. James J. Harris joined the First Baptist Church of Chicago in 1983 where he served as Sunday School teacher, Monday Night Bible Study Leader, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Moderator, member of Parish 7-11, Men’s Fellowship and the choir. On February 12, 1989, he was ordained as a minister. In January 1996 he was appointed assistant pastor of the First Baptist of Chicago where he faithfully served until moving to Memphis, Tennessee in May 1998.

Rev. James J. Harris united with the Hickory Ridge Baptist Church in Memphis Tennessee that moved later to the Hope Baptist Church, Olive Branch, Mississippi where he and Loretta celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2009 bringing together family and friends from near and far. He shared his spiritual gift of melodic spiritual messaging that began as a baritone lead singer with the Spiritual Travelers in Carbondale continuing with The Voices of Melody in Chicago, Illinois. As a faithful servant, Rev. James J. Harris served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and offered his spiritual guidance with the youth and Vacation Bible School at Hope Baptist Church until his health challenges hindered his traveling.

Rev. James J. Harris served 33 years as a Police Officer for the state of Illinois. He retired as Commander of Administrative Services in 1995. After retirement and relocation, he worked as Assistant Coordinator of the City of Memphis Park Commission Summer Youth Initiative, Treasurer of the Kirby High School P.T.A., part-time employee at Sears Roebuck and member of the Tennessee State Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 35.

Dedication to God, Family and Education the Harris home was often the gathering place for family, friends, and church members. Rev. James J. Harris was a man of many talents that he freely shared. Study sessions and Parish meetings in the basement of their Chicago home, holiday gatherings in the yard in Chicago and Memphis, repairing and creating new computer tools from his garage or designing and sewing dresses and other apparel for his wife, grandchildren and young choir members kept Rev. James J. Harris busy until his health no longer permitted.

On Thursday, October 1, 2026, Rev. James J. Harris answered the call from His Heavenly Father after a lengthy illness, leaving a Legacy of Faith, Family, and Fortitude. Preceding him in death were his parents, Bishop Fred Harris, Sr. and Eliza Hollings Harris, brothers Fred Harris, Jr., Johnnie Lee Harris, and Edward Lee Harris; He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 67 years, Loretta Kelley Harris, daughter, Sheila Harris, grandchildren, Sheronna (Sean Lawrence), Khalia Ragin, Kelley Jenkins; great-grandchildren, Tony Winters II, Darrey’ana Johnson, Eli Faulkner, Khyre Perry; adopted great-grandson, Malachi Streeter and great-great-grandchild Dakota Johnson, brothers; AL H. Harris, Tulsa OK, Amos Harris, Paducah KY, sisters; Aubrey Harris-Reed, Winter Pk. FL, Frankie Harris, Portsmouth, VA, Dorothy Harris-Williams, Deltona, FL and Herbertine Harris-Johnson, Murphysboro, IL. adopted son Clyde S. Morgan, adopted granddaughter, Leah Carter-White, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, devoted Hope Baptist Church members, First Baptist Church of Chicago members, Spirit of Attucks Alumni members, and countless friends who were blessed to know him.