Thomas Caldwell Harris

HARRIS, Deacon Thomas Caldwell, 84, of Tappahannock, Va., departed this life August 12, 2008 in a local hospital. Thomas C. Harris was a businessman, community leader and a family man. He was a well-known figure for longtime residents of the Tappahannock region. The entrepreneur built and operated a succession of successful businesses in the Bray's Fork area over the past several decades. He attended Rappahannock Industrial Academy of Ozeana. After graduating, he attended Virginia State University. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After returning home, he took over the family business and ran the only black-owned bus station for Greyhound; they were the only black agency in the state at that time. In 1972, he opened the Harris Family Drive-in. He also opened the first Store-Tel storage facility in the area, offering tool rentals and electric motor repair service. He is survived by his wife, Irene June Harris; two daughters, June Constance Monterio (Charles) of Alexandria, Thomasine H. Coates (Duane) of Fort Washington, Md.; one son, Ira C. Harris (Denise) of Charlottesville, Va.; one sister, Alida Sasso of Connecticut. Viewing will be held Friday, August 15, from 3 to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Tappahannock, where family will receive friends from 7 until 8 p.m. Viewing will continue Saturday, August 16, from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Rev. Marion Tapscott officiating, and the pastor, Rev. Vernon Keeve, eulogist. Interment in the church cemetery. Service of comfort entrusted to Washington Funeral Home, Tappahannock.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.