Mrs. Marie Crews Harris, 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

Marie grew up on a farm in Oak Ridge where she attended grade school and graduated from Lauglin High School in Summerfield. Marie attended Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina. She married her college sweetheart, James Roosevelt Harris, and they immediately started a family. Marie went back to school at UNC-Greensboro and completed her bachelor’s degree. She later earned master’s degrees in school counseling and education administration.

Marie devoted her life’s work to the education and betterment of youth. She began her teaching career at Bluford Elementary School, only three blocks from the family’s home. She soon became an elementary school counselor. Marie settled into her favorite position as an assistant principal, where she was known as a strict disciplinarian. Even with her small stature, she earned the respect of her students by caring for each child’s personal well-being and educational attainment. While she was named interim principal on several occasions, she cherished her summers and being an eleven-month employee, so that she could spend quality time with her family.

Marie was an active member of the Greensboro community and served on numerous civic boards. She volunteered her time and extensive talents in community organizations that included the YWCA Board of Directors, The Children’s Museum and Family Service of the Piedmont. She was very active in the Kappa Silhouettes. Marie was a long-time member of Providence Baptist Church. She enjoyed working with the youth as a Cub Scout Den Mother. Marie was a regular volunteer for Vacation Bible School and found her niche as one of the founding members of the Community Service Guild.

Marie loved spending time with family and friends at the family’s beach house in Ocean City Beach on Topsail Island. She enjoyed early morning walks combing the beach for unique seashells and shark teeth. Marie and James often spent the day flounder fishing on the pier where she became known as “The Flounder Lady.” She loved putting out the crab pots and sharing her catch with family and neighbors. Marie was very active in the Ocean City Beach Community, and she loved her beach family dearly.

Marie had a passion for exploring the world. She always had at least one large National Geographic map of the world on a wall in the home. Marie traveled extensively with her beloved husband, James, her children and The Flexibles, a local social organization. Some of her most memorable trips were to The Holy Land, Africa, Australia, Europe, China, the Russian Federation and South America. Marie also enjoyed her annual trips for more than 42 years to Baltimore for The Preakness Stakes horse race.

Precious memories of Marie will be forever cherished by her children; Donna McCoy (Dennis) of High Point, Kelvin Harris, MD (Angela) of Gastonia, Lori Ann Harris of Greensboro; bonus son, Theodore Parker (Diane) of Erial, NJ; five grandchildren: Kisha Campbell of Philadelphia, PA, George F. Hall, II of Oak Ridge, Tanina Cato of Sicklerville, NJ, Kelsey Harris (Deanna Jackson) of Whitsett, and Sydney Harris of Charlotte; bonus grandchildren, Bryerica Barnes Otis (Clifton), DeBrisha Barnes, Ashley Coote Jones (Frankie Jr.) and Kyndal Coote; five great grandchildren; godson, Charles Coote Jr.; goddaughters Tracey Barnes, Pamela W. Coote, Bridget Chisholm and Wanda Henderson; Sisters, Pauline Crews Rankin Irving of Greensboro and Caron Jane Crews Hairston of Walkertown and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, James Roosevelt Harris; parents Harry and Mazie Crews; and four siblings: Annie Crews Foy, Harry Sherman Crews, James W. “Tojo” Crews and Juanita Crews Scales.

The family offers its deepest gratitude and thanks to Maria Belin of Maria’s Care, LLC, to the caring staff at the Arboretum at Heritage Greens and to AuthoraCare Collective for the exceptional care provided to Marie during her illness.

A service honoring the life of Marie Harris will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at Providence Baptist Church, 1106 Tuscaloosa Street, Greensboro, NC. Family visitation will be held at 11 a.m. The service will be live-streamed and can be viewed at Welcome to Providence (pbcbiglove.org)

Interment will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Salisbury National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to NC A&T State University and designated to “The James R and Marie Harris Endowed Scholarship,” in the memo section. Donations should be sent to: University Advancement, NC A&T State University, Dowdy Building, Suite 400, 1601 E. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 2741. North Carolina A & T State University · GiveCampus