james harris obituary
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SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016 | 11 A.M.
Greater Faith Calvary Pentecostal Church 305 Railroad Street
Canton, MS
Elder Willie Clemons, PastorPastor Bobby J. Hunter, Sr., Officiating Minister
T r i b u t e t o a M a n a f t e r G o d ’s O w n H e a r t I n M e m o r y o f
JAMES “TOOT” HARRISFEBRUARY 10, 1951 - MARCH 23, 2016
Mr. James Earl Harris was born on February 10, 1951 to the union of Linnie Gross
Harris and William Harris in Canton, MS. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the early age of thirteen. He united with Stokes Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend C. H. Hart.
Mr. Harris attended McNeal Elementary School from grades 1-4; Rogers Elementary from grades 5 and 6; Rogers High School from grades 7-12 where he was a member of the graduating class of 1970. He attended Alcorn State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. There, he was an integral member of the band which is better known as Sounds of Dynamite.
Mr. Harris was a devoted employee of the Canton Public School District for over thirty years fulfilling the roles of Teachers Assistant, Administrative Assistant of Maintenance and Assistant Director of Operations respectively. He also served as Minister of Music, Assistant Director of Bands and the Director, Founder and Choreographer of the famous “Prancing Tigerrettes” at Canton High School.
He shared his God given gifts of playing piano and singing throughout the state of Mississippi and beyond. He was also a gifted conductor and instrumentalist. He founded the Northside Community Choir for whom he wrote, arranged
and recorded many gospel music selections including Make it to the City and Stairway to Heaven. His arrangements include Lord Have Mercy on Us, Watch Ye, That’s Just like Him and I’m not Tired Yet. He was also Director of the Madison County Male Choir.
Mr. Harris played piano for many churches throughout the community including South Liberty Baptist Church, New Bethel, St. James, and Sims Chapel. He was the Minister of Music for the Greater Mt. Levi Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Church as well as the Buckhorn Missionary Baptist Church both in Canton, MS. His commitment to music education was evident as he traveled from state to state to conduct workshops on gospel music. He also founded Unity in Praise, which is an organization known for uniting choirs of differential denominations.
Mr. Harris was adorned with awards of recognition and appreciation throughout his lifetime to include: the 2015 Lifetime Music Achievement Award from the Canton Gospel Music Association; the Local Musician of the Year Award; the Choir Director of the Year Award; the Jefferson
Parish, Louisiana Music Award; 18th Annual MCTA Gospel Music Award; Community Service Award; Mayor’s Proclamation for Distinguished Citizen Award and induction into the Canton Gospel Music Association Musical Hall of Fame.
Mr. Harris transitioned from this life at 10:00am on March 23, 2016 at St. Dominic Hospital. Preceding him in death was his father William Harris and three brothers David Brown, Mikel Brown and Torrez Harris. He leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted mother, Linnie Harris of Canton, MS, one son Charles (Brandy) Brown, Siblings Larry (Bobby) Harris, Sandra (Richard) Thomas, Kishea Brown, Trennis (Egilola) Harris, William (Michelle) Harris, Tyrone (Vickie) Harris, Gregory (Lashore) Harris, Corey Harris, Derrick Harris, Lois McCoy, William McCoy, Willie McCoy, Linda Harris and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends.
JAMES “TOOT” HARRIS
His Journey Has BegunDon’t think of him as gone away his journey’s just begun, life holds so many facets this earth is only one. Just think of him as resting from the sorrows
and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing that we could know today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched… for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much.
To My DadHe never looked for praisesHe was never one to boast
He just went on quietly workingFor those he loved the most
His dreams were seldom spokenHis wants were very few
And most of the time his worriesWill go unspoken too
He was always there... A firm foundationThrough all our storms of life
A sturdy hand to hold toIn times of stress and strife
A true friend we could turn toWhen times were good or badOne of our greatest blessings,
The man that I called Dad-Ladell
Tributes
FEBRUARY 10, 1951 - MARCH 23, 2016
TributesSISTERS
No farewell words were spokenNo Time to say Goodbye
You were gone before we knew itAnd on only God knows why
Our hearts will ache in sadnessAnd secret tears will flowWhat it meant to lose you,
No one will ever knowMy Mind still talks to you,My heart still talks to you.
My soul knows you’re at peaceMy tears will never cease
I’ve come to realize that nothing in lifePrepares us for losing
Someone we love…nothingWith love from your sisters
When My Savior Brings Me HomeAs my days on earth have ended
and my time has finally comeDon’t think I’ve left you, just rejoice
that my battle’s finally won.It was in those quiet hourswhen I seemed so far away
that my Savior sat beside meto prepare me for this day.
He settled all my doubts and fearsand took away the pain.
Please know there was no sufferingwhen at last my Savior came.
To you it may have seemed too hardand lasted much too long,
But for me it was a peaceful waitfor God to bring me home.
I know that you did all you couldand yes, He heard your cries,
For God Himself reached out His handand gently closed my eyes.
Even though you are gone away, Your love will always be here to stay.
You touched our hearts with so many things, God knew you were the one to save; He took you home to get some rest,
Even though we loved you best. Our hearts are filled with so much pain,
God loved you more, there was no shame. At this time we must let go,
Your memories we will keep a flow.Rest our dear cousin/brother with peace of mind,
Your memories will live on through. Rest in peace, your cousins:
Earl Lee, Jannie Mae, Bobbie, Freddie,
Patricia, Gwen, Gloria Jean and Michael
The Northside Community Choir would like to show our appreciation for Mr. James Harris. We are eternally grateful to
God for your vision and being our Founder, Director & Musician. We further assure you that your work was not in vain. Being
members of NCC has had a lifetime affect on who we are, how we worship and how we serve the Lord. We are forever bonded and
united in our gratitude for you.
The Northside Community ChoirCanton, Mississippi
BrotherYou gave no one a last farewell
Nor ever said good-byeYou were gone before we knew it
And only God know why.A million times we miss you
A million times we cry.If love alone could have saved you
You never would have died.In life we loved you dearlyIn death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a placeNo one else can fill.
It broke our hearts to lose youBut you didn’t go alone,
For parts of us went with youThe day God took you home.We will meet again someday
I know in a better place.I thank God he made you our brother
While you were here on earth.with love your brothers
Prelude ................................................................................................................................................................... James Harris Memorial Choir
Processional ................................................................................................................................................................................ Pastor and Family
Scripture ReadingsOld Testament ............................................................................................................................................................. Pastor Charles C. Nash Sr. Isaiah 40:28-31 Buckhorn M. B. Church, Canton, MS
New Testament .............................................................................................................................................................. Pastor John Woodard Jr. Corinthians 15:51-58 Ark of Safety Ministry, Canton, MS
Prayer .................................................................................................................................................................................. Pastor Jonathan PhillipUnited M.B. Church, Pearl, MS
Smith Chapel M.B. Church, Flora, MS
Musical Selection ............................................................................................................................................... James Harris Memorial ChoirExpressions of Remembrance:
Mrs. Cassandra Williams, Superintendant, Canton Public SchoolsMr. Dwight Luckett, Former Superintendent, Canton Public Schools
Mrs. Erma J, Cole, As A Friend
Words of Encouragement ......................................................................................................................................... Dr. Walter L. Johnson, Sr.Mt. Zion M. B. Church, Canton, MS
Solo ....................................................................................................................................................................................... Mr. Frankie SummersNephew
Remarks ................................................................................................................................................................................. Mayor Arnel BoldenCity of Canton, MS
Musical Selection .................................................................................................................................................................... James Harris Choir
Reading of Obituary Silently ................................................................................................................................................................ Soft Music
Acknowledgements
Solo ............................................................................................................................................................................................... Mrs. Desiree Hart“Move To The Sky”
Eulogy ................................................................................................................................................................................. Pastor Bobby J. HunterMt. Levi Full Gospel Baptist Church, Canton, MS
Recessional .............................................................................................................................................................................. ”Oh How Precious”
Order of ServiceProgram Guide - Dr. Mark G. Henderson
Tributes
Active Pallbearers
Honorary Pallbearers
Flower BearersThe Prancing Tigerrettes
Class of 1970
Interment First Stokes M.B. Church
902 Stokes RoadFlora, MS 39071
RepastMt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
514 West North Street
Canton, MS 39046
Funeral Services Entrusted toFamily Memorial Funeral Services, Inc.
326 West North Street
Canton, MS 39046
(601)-859-1507
“Our Family Serving Your Family”
Anthony Williams Cleotha Brooks
Elton WalkerEmmanuel Carroll
Joe ThompsonKarl Walker
Tommie Brown
Nephews
Program Entrusted to D’Artganan Winford | 662.515.5989
Acknowledgements With grateful hearts, the Family of the late Mr. James E. Harris would like to express our thanks for every act of kindness expressed during our time
of bereavement. Your prayers, flowers, visitation, telephone calls, words of inspiration and all other courtesies extended have all been of support to
us in this time of sorrow. Your presence with us today means so very much. Through faith, we know that God will give all of us strength.
Special ThanksPastor Bobby Hunter and the Mt. Levi Full Gospel Baptist Church family
Elder Willie Clemons and the Greater Faith Calvary Pentecostal Church family Pastor W. L. Johnson and the Mt. Zion M. B. Church Family
Pastor Charles C. Nash and the Buckhorn M.B. Church FamilyPastor John Woodard, Jr. and the Ark of Safety Ministry Church Family
Pastor Jonathon Phillip and Ms. Cynthia Goodloe Palmer
Canton Public Schools and the Canton High Marching Band
Canton Public School Maintenance Department
JAMES “TOOT” HARRISFEBRUARY 10, 1951 - MARCH 23, 2016