George Frank Harris

HARRIS, George Frank, died October 26, 2008, at his residence in Dillwyn, Virginia. He was born on April 1, 1915 near Manteo, in Buckingham County, Virginia to George Phillip Harris and Annie L. Nicholas Harris. He was the seventh child born in a family of 10 siblings. George was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Americus Burrell Harris; their daughter, Marcia June; son, Karl Lorenzo; his parents; and eight siblings. He graduated from Buckingham Training School, but was unable to immediately attend college. He spent four years working in several types of jobs, such as, operating the home farm, substitute teaching, teaching adult education and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In 1938, he enrolled in Virginia State College (University), graduating four years later with a B.S. Degree in Agricultural Education. He was awarded a M.S. Degree in Secondary Education and Guidance in 1951. He did further study at Tuskegee Institute, University of Kentucky (Lexington) and University of Virginia. A lifelong educator, Mr. Harris served as an instructor and principal in Gloucester County, Va. from 1942 to 1947. From 1947 to 1980, he was employed by Buckingham County Public Schools as principal of Buckingham Training School and Carter G. Woodson High School, Director of Federal Projects, and Director of Instruction. Even after his retirement, he continued to volunteer for a variety of community and state programs. He was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Buckingham where he served as member of the Deacon and Trustee Boards, Senior Choir, and Pastor's Aid Society. He was member of the Deacon's Conference of Buckingham and vicinity. He was a tree farmer and owned Harris Apartments in Dillwyn, Va. Mr. Harris was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Initiated into the Beta Gamma Chapter in 1939, he was a past president of both the Beta Gamma and Iota Tau Lambda Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha, and has received many awards from the fraternity. Mr. Harris was very active in the community. He was a member of the Voter's League, Democratic Committee, local and state boards of the American Cancer Society, and a life member of the NAACP. He was instrumental in founding and developing many programs to benefit the Buckingham community. Some of them include the Buckingham Afro-American Life & History Society, Central Virginia Health Center, Buckingham County Library, the county's first Headstart Program, first dental clinic in the county, first ESEA Program, Buckingham County Improvement League, and member of the first Dillwyn Fire Department. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Elizabeth R. Harris; granddaughter, Tais Holman (Corey); grandson, Karl Harris Jr. (Toccora); daughter-in-law, Thelma Harris; one sister, Anna Jones; stepdaughter, Deborah; stepson, Avery; six great-grandchildren; 12 stepgreat-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. An evening tribute of community farewells will be held Friday, October 31, 2008, at 7 p.m. at Dillwyn Elementary School (formerly Carter G. Woodson High School). The funeral service will be Saturday, November 1, 2008, at 12 noon at the Buckingham County High School Gymnasium, with interment in the Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery. Public viewing at the funeral home will began Thursday at 1 p.m. Reid's Funeral Home of Dillwyn is in charge of service.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.