Bishop Francis Harris

Bishop Francis Harris

Tallahassee - Bishop Francis Eustace Harris, 80, departed this life for his heavenly home on Saturday, October 6, 2018. He loved and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ throughout his entire life.

Bishop Francis Harris was born in Goderich Village in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa to Daniel William Dionysus Harris and Safee Juliana Cole.

Bishop Francis E. Harris is survived by his wife Elvira Johnson of 55 years - married on December 29, 1963 in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa.

Bishop Harris loved the church and devoted his life to serving humanity. He began his ministry as a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church under Archbishop Francis Carroll in Liberia. Bishop Harris passionately followed a vision to spread the word of God and consistently displayed a heart for people, especially the sick and less fortunate members of society.

During this time, he was a charter member of The Knights of Saint John - Liberia. He was a member of the Masonic Order of Liberia, The Grand Lodge of the Republic of Liberia based on the principles of Prince Hall Freemasonry.

Bishop Harris' body of work expanded nearly five decades ministering and helping those in need. After a very long and storied life of service, he retired as the Coptic Orthodox Church Prelate of New York and New Jersey. Bishop Harris moved to Tallahassee, Florida in 1994 and joined Bethel AME Church, pastored by Reverend A.J. Richardson. At Bethel, his ministry included serving the Church's elderly members, mentoring young ministers and providing communion to the sick and shut in.

He volunteered with the Tallahassee homeless shelter and served with Chuck Cyrus and Steve Beasley at the Capital City Chamber of Commerce while working with Sheriff Larry Campbell and Chaplain Ted Warmack as a part of his prison ministry. Bishop Harris worked with Bethel Pastor John Green and represented the church with Bill Glass Ministries. He served as an Associate Minister at Bethel AME led by Senior Minister and Pastor Julius Harrison McAllister.

Bishop Harris is preceded in death by his brothers Jesse, Samuel (Rachael), Edwin (Elizabeth), Pleasant and Abibu. His sisters Drucilla and Mariama; his daughters Christine and Drucilla, and his grandson Peter Edward Francis Harris III. He is survived by Mrs. Elvira Harris his loving wife of 55 years; his children Daniel Harris (Antonia), Peter Harris (Karema), Frances Revels (Cameron), Safee Broxton (Derek); grandchildren Daniel Jr. (Nicole), Antonia-Isis, Caldwell, Cameron, Jordan and Andrew; great granddaughter Sophia Nicole; his siblings Rudolph (Ida), Idrisa (Faimatta), Marie, Alima, Salie, Abdul, Ahmed, Rackie, Alieu, Isata, Bowu, Fatmata, Dantuma, Yusifu, Priscilla and Yacuub; his sisters-in-law Ursula, Maria, Irene and a host of loving nieces, nephews and extended family.

Bishop Francis Eustace Harris was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to everyone

Family visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary to celebrate the love, the life and the legacy of Bishop Francis Eustace Harris.

A funeral service will be held at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 501 West Orange Avenue on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11:00am and the Bishop will be laid to rest by his mother and father at the Goderich Village Christian Cemetery in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff of Strong and Jones Funeral Home., Inc for their excellent service and accommodating the family during this difficult time.