Joseph Harris, Sr. departed this life on January 12, 2023, after 88 years of a well lived life. He was born on November 6,1934 to the late Elijah, Sr., and Lucille Harris of Wilson, North Carolina. He was a resident of Chesapeake, Virginia. Nothing was more important to Joseph than his family and serving the Lord.
Joseph, also affectionately known as “Joe” and “Daddy Joe” was educated in the North Carolina Public School system. After leaving school, he worked as a mechanic for Birch’s Dairy where he met his beautiful wife, Jean. Later he went to work for the Colonial Store as a truck driver for 10 years. This is where his career as a truck driver began. In October of 1983 Joe went to work for Food Lion in Disputanta, Virginia. He drove for the company until his retirement in 2009.
Brother Harris was a longtime member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia where he served in any capacity needed. Brother Harris served as both an Usher and a Trustee. Opening the church on Sunday mornings was one of his most important jobs. He did not let anything or anyone stand in the way of that and everyone knew it. Joe did not miss a church service until his health began to fail. He was a faithful servant of God and faithful to Mount Olive. He truly loved his church family.
Joseph was predeceased by his parents, Elijah Harris, Sr., and Lucille Harris, one sister, Sandra Forbes, and two brothers, Richard Harris, and Jacob Harris. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 62 years, McGlustria “Jean” Harris, Chesapeake, Virginia, his children: Joseph Harris, Jr. (Serethia), Chesapeake, Jeffery Harris (Selena), Virginia Beach, and Jennifer Harris-Williams (Milton), Chesapeake, grandchildren: Marcus Alston, California, Ryan Smith (Tiffany), Chesapeake, Marquita Morning (Broderick), Virginia Beach, Darien Cox (Alyssa), Kansas, Jayla Harris, Chesapeake, Christopher Lee (Shakina), Chesapeake, and Lauren Williams, Chesapeake, great-grandchildren: Jasmine Morning, Broderick Morning, Jr., Roman Cox, Khai Lee, Landon Cox, and Jayden Cox, four sisters: Annie Woodard, Saratoga, NC, Dorothy Bynum, Wilson, NC, Hilda Harris (William), Wilson, NC, and Angela Lane (Willis), Wilson, NC, four brothers: Pastor Elijah Harris, Jr. (Gladys), Greenville, NC, Jerry Harris (Patricia), Rocky Mount, NC, Michael Harris (Gwendolyn), Wilson, NC and Ronald Harris, Wilson, NC, one sister in-law, Annie Pearl Harris, Raleigh, NC, one goddaughter: Tracey Pinkin, Virginia Beach, and a multitude of other relatives and friends who loved him dearly. Let us all find comfort in knowing we will see him again.
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