Charles Clifton Harris

It is with sadness that the Harris family announces that Charles Clifton Harris, aged 90, and affectionately known as “Fats,” died peacefully among family on April 1, 2025, at Transitions Life Care in Raleigh, NC.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday April 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington with Reverend Diane Daires Beadle and Reggie Braziel. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday April 4, 2025 from 5:00PM until 7:00PM.

Charles was born on November 2, 1934, in Washington, NC to parents Charlie Thomas and Edna Clifton Harris. He grew up at River Acres on the Pamlico River and spent many hours fishing, goose hunting, and engaging in mischief. It was in Washington where he met his love, Betty Sue Woolard on a double date. He graduated from Washington High School in 1952 and played center for the champion 1952 football team. During his time on the team, he was bestowed with his nickname by legendary Washington coach Choppy Wagner during blocking sled drills. Charles attended Chowan College on a football scholarship and graduated in 1955.

On November 30, 1963 he married Betty Sue Woolard at Old Ford Church in Washington. He was a member of Old Ford Church of Christ at attended St. Paul’s Christian Church in Raleigh, NC.

After graduation, Charles returned to Washington where he spent the next 35 years serving the people of North Carolina as a full-time member of the NC National Guard. Most of his years were spent with the 213th MP Company in Washington. In his last few years of service, he was assigned to US Property & Fiscal Office (USPFO) in Raleigh, NC. He retired from the National Guard in 1988, but continued his work with the USPFO as a civilian until 1989. Not yet ready for the rocking chair, Charles worked for 10 years at Beaufort Community College as a GED recruiter until 2000.

In September 2000, Charles and Betty Sue moved to Morrisville, NC to spend more time with their daughters and new granddaughters. He loved spending time with his family, cooking, and watching countless hours of the Wiggles and Wallace & Gromit movies.

Charles is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Sue Woolard Harris, daughters, Susan Amelia Harris, Martha Frances Harris McGee, and husband Timothy McGee all of Morrisville, NC; his granddaughters, Frances Gray McGee of Morrisville, NC, and Eleanor Virginia McGee of Boone, NC. He is survived by extended family, sister-in-law, Rosemary Rhodes Harris of Garner, Frances Woolard Swain of Greenville, and Bill and Kathy Woolard of Atlantic Beach, as well as nieces and nephews. Charles was predeceased by parents, Charlie and Edna Harris of Washington and brother Thomas Earle Harris of Garner.

The family would like to thank Transitions Life Care in Raleigh for their kindness and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the North Carolina National Guard Association Tarheel Minuteman Foundation at http://ncnga.org/tarheel-minuteman-foundation/

Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Harris family.