T ri bu t e t o a M a n a f t er G od ’s O wn He a rt In Memory of
JAMES “TOOT” HARRIS FEBRUARY 10, 1951 - MARCH 23, 2016 SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016 | 11 A.M. Greater Faith Calvary Pentecostal Church 305 Railroad Street Canton, MS Elder Willie Clemons, Pastor Pastor Bobby J. Hunter, Sr., Officiating Minister
M
r. James Earl Harris was born on February 10, 1951 to the union of Linnie Gross Harris and William Harris in Canton, MS. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the early age of thirteen. He united with Stokes Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend C. H. Hart. Mr. Harris attended McNeal Elementary School from grades 1-4; Rogers Elementary from grades 5 and 6; Rogers High School from grades 7-12 where he was a member of the graduating class of 1970. He attended Alcorn State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. There, he was an integral member of the band which is better known as Sounds of Dynamite. Mr. Harris was a devoted employee of the Canton Public School District for over thirty years fulfilling the roles of Teachers Assistant, Administrative Assistant of Maintenance and Assistant Director of Operations respectively. He also served as Minister of Music, Assistant Director of Bands and the Director, Founder and Choreographer of the famous “Prancing Tigerrettes� at Canton High School. He shared his God given gifts of playing piano and singing throughout the state of Mississippi and beyond. He was also a gifted conductor and instrumentalist. He founded the Northside Community Choir for whom he wrote, arranged
JAMES “TOOT” HARRIS FEBRUARY 10, 1951 - MARCH 23, 2016 and recorded many gospel music selections including Make it to the City and Stairway to Heaven. His arrangements include Lord Have Mercy on Us, Watch Ye, That’s Just like Him and I’m not Tired Yet. He was also Director of the Madison County Male Choir. Mr. Harris played piano for many churches throughout the community including South Liberty Baptist Church, New Bethel, St. James, and Sims Chapel. He was the Minister of Music for the Greater Mt. Levi Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Church as well as the Buckhorn Missionary Baptist Church both in Canton, MS. His commitment to music education was evident as he traveled from state to state to conduct workshops on gospel music. He also founded Unity in Praise, which is an organization known for uniting choirs of differential denominations. Mr. Harris was adorned with awards of recognition and appreciation throughout his lifetime to include: the 2015 Lifetime Music Achievement Award from the Canton Gospel Music Association; the Local Musician of the Year Award; the Choir Director of the Year Award; the Jefferson
Parish, Louisiana Music Award; 18th Annual MCTA Gospel Music Award; Community Service Award; Mayor’s Proclamation for Distinguished Citizen Award and induction into the Canton Gospel Music Association Musical Hall of Fame. Mr. Harris transitioned from this life at 10:00am on March 23, 2016 at St. Dominic Hospital. Preceding him in death was his father William Harris and three brothers David Brown, Mikel Brown and Torrez Harris. He leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted mother, Linnie Harris of Canton, MS, one son Charles (Brandy) Brown, Siblings Larry (Bobby) Harris, Sandra (Richard) Thomas, Kishea Brown, Trennis (Egilola) Harris, William (Michelle) Harris, Tyrone (Vickie) Harris, Gregory (Lashore) Harris, Corey Harris, Derrick Harris, Lois McCoy, William McCoy, Willie McCoy, Linda Harris and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends.
Tributes His Journey Has Begun Don’t think of him as gone away his journey’s just begun, life holds so many facets this earth is only one. Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years. Think how he must be wishing that we could know today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched… for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much.
To My Dad He never looked for praises He was never one to boast He just went on quietly working For those he loved the most His dreams were seldom spoken His wants were very few And most of the time his worries Will go unspoken too He was always there... A firm foundation Through all our storms of life A sturdy hand to hold to In times of stress and strife A true friend we could turn to When times were good or bad One of our greatest blessings, The man that I called Dad -Ladell
Tributes SISTERS No farewell words were spoken No Time to say Goodbye You were gone before we knew it And on only God knows why Our hearts will ache in sadness And secret tears will flow What it meant to lose you, No one will ever know My Mind still talks to you, My heart still talks to you. My soul knows you’re at peace My tears will never cease I’ve come to realize that nothing in life Prepares us for losing Someone we love…nothing With love from your sisters
When My Savior Brings Me Home As my days on earth have ended and my time has finally come Don’t think I’ve left you, just rejoice that my battle’s finally won. It was in those quiet hours when I seemed so far away that my Savior sat beside me to prepare me for this day. He settled all my doubts and fears and took away the pain. Please know there was no suffering when at last my Savior came. To you it may have seemed too hard and lasted much too long, But for me it was a peaceful wait for God to bring me home. I know that you did all you could and yes, He heard your cries,
Even though you are gone away, Your love will always be here to stay.
For God Himself reached out His hand and gently closed my eyes.
You touched our hearts with so many things, God knew you were the one to save; He took you home to get some rest, Even though we loved you best. Our hearts are filled with so much pain, God loved you more, there was no shame. At this time we must let go, Your memories we will keep a flow. Rest our dear cousin/brother with peace of mind, Your memories will live on through. Rest in peace, your cousins: Earl Lee, Jannie Mae, Bobbie, Freddie, Patricia, Gwen, Gloria Jean and Michael
Brother You gave no one a last farewell Nor ever said good-bye You were gone before we knew it And only God know why. A million times we miss you A million times we cry. If love alone could have saved you You never would have died. In life we loved you dearly In death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place
The Northside Community Choir would like to show our
No one else can fill.
appreciation for Mr. James Harris. We are eternally grateful to
It broke our hearts to lose you
God for your vision and being our Founder, Director & Musician.
But you didn’t go alone,
We further assure you that your work was not in vain. Being
For parts of us went with you
members of NCC has had a lifetime affect on who we are, how we
The day God took you home.
worship and how we serve the Lord. We are forever bonded and
We will meet again someday
united in our gratitude for you.
I know in a better place. I thank God he made you our brother
The Northside Community Choir
While you were here on earth.
Canton, Mississippi
with love your brothers
Order of Service Program Guide - Dr. Mark G. Henderson Prelude ................................................................................................................................................................... James Harris Memorial Choir Processional ................................................................................................................................................................................ Pastor and Family Scripture Readings Old Testament ............................................................................................................................................................. Pastor Charles C. Nash Sr. Isaiah 40:28-31 Buckhorn M. B. Church, Canton, MS New Testament .............................................................................................................................................................. Pastor John Woodard Jr. Corinthians 15:51-58 Ark of Safety Ministry, Canton, MS Prayer .................................................................................................................................................................................. Pastor Jonathan Phillip United M.B. Church, Pearl, MS Smith Chapel M.B. Church, Flora, MS Musical Selection ............................................................................................................................................... James Harris Memorial Choir Expressions of Remembrance: Mrs. Cassandra Williams, Superintendant, Canton Public Schools Mr. Dwight Luckett, Former Superintendent, Canton Public Schools Mrs. Erma J, Cole, As A Friend Words of Encouragement ......................................................................................................................................... Dr. Walter L. Johnson, Sr. Mt. Zion M. B. Church, Canton, MS Solo ....................................................................................................................................................................................... Mr. Frankie Summers Nephew Remarks ................................................................................................................................................................................. Mayor Arnel Bolden City of Canton, MS Musical Selection .................................................................................................................................................................... James Harris Choir Reading of Obituary Silently ................................................................................................................................................................ Soft Music Acknowledgements Solo ............................................................................................................................................................................................... Mrs. Desiree Hart “Move To The Sky” Eulogy ................................................................................................................................................................................. Pastor Bobby J. Hunter Mt. Levi Full Gospel Baptist Church, Canton, MS Recessional .............................................................................................................................................................................. ”Oh How Precious”
JAMES “TOOT” HARRIS FEBRUARY 10, 1951 - MARCH 23, 2016
Acknowledgements With grateful hearts, the Family of the late Mr. James E. Harris would like to express our thanks for every act of kindness expressed during our time of bereavement. Your prayers, flowers, visitation, telephone calls, words of inspiration and all other courtesies extended have all been of support to us in this time of sorrow. Your presence with us today means so very much. Through faith, we know that God will give all of us strength.
Special Thanks Pastor Bobby Hunter and the Mt. Levi Full Gospel Baptist Church family Elder Willie Clemons and the Greater Faith Calvary Pentecostal Church family Pastor W. L. Johnson and the Mt. Zion M. B. Church Family Pastor Charles C. Nash and the Buckhorn M.B. Church Family Pastor John Woodard, Jr. and the Ark of Safety Ministry Church Family Pastor Jonathon Phillip and Ms. Cynthia Goodloe Palmer Canton Public Schools and the Canton High Marching Band
Active Pallbearers Canton Public School Maintenance Department Anthony Williams Cleotha Brooks Elton Walker Emmanuel Carroll
Joe Thompson Karl Walker Tommie Brown
Honorary Pallbearers Nephews
Flower Bearers The Prancing Tigerrettes Class of 1970
Interment First Stokes M.B. Church 902 Stokes Road Flora, MS 39071
Repast Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall 514 West North Street Canton, MS 39046
Funeral Services Entrusted to Family Memorial Funeral Services, Inc. 326 West North Street Canton, MS 39046 (601)-859-1507 “Our Family Serving Your Family”
Program Entrusted to D’Artganan Winford | 662.515.5989