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Obituary For Marie Crews Harris
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
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Serene Lily Basket was sent for Marie Crews Harris - January 15, 2024
Lance C Miller sent The Peace Lily for Marie Crews Harris - January 13, 2024
Kelvin, Lori Ann and Angela our most sincere condolences for the loss of your dear mother. May the beautiful memories of her presence sustain you all.
Chris Miller and family
Melody Barnes sent Living Spirit Dishgarden for Marie Crews Harris - January 12, 2024
Dear Lori Ann, Sending you and your family our condolences and prayers for peace and comfort. Love, Melody Barnes & Marland Buckner
Our condolences are extended to the family of Mrs Marie Harris. She was loving and kind and was a Missionary sister who always greeted me with a beautiful smile and a hug. She always showed love and compassion for everyone especially those in need. We pray for God's peace for the family. Shirley & Sam Williams
Sending my sincerest condolences to you and yours at this time. Let the celebration begin! I will share with you the same thing that was shared with me when my mother closed on her new home in heaven... Mothers never really die because they live on through us! Love to you and your sister and family. Kelley Hill
The Trapp Family sends our Love Prayers and Condolences to Donna and her Family 💕🙏
Shelia Trapp
Lori Ann, Kenny and I are saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved mother. May you find peace and happiness by holding on to fond memories you shared with your mom. May your mom rest in peace 🙏🏽🙏🏽
I am sorry to hear about the passing of your dear mother. May God continue to bless you all. I am thinking about you Lori Ann, Kelvin, and Donna. You all are in my prayers.❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️
My Prayers and condolences are with you all at this time. May God continue to give you all the support you need at this time. Janice Spruill (Daughter of the late ,Doris W. DesChamp)
We were so sorry to learn of Marie's passing.She was a real sweetheart. We have so many wonderful memories on Topsail island with her and the family. Our deepest sympathy to Lori Ann,Donna,and Kelvin.May God grant you peace and your sweet memories sustain you at this difficult time. Ruby P.Greene and family.
My condolences to the family. I will always remember Ms. Marie for her kind and welcoming nature, and the sincere interest she showed when we conversed. I pray for the family's peace and comfort during this time of bereavement.
May the peace of God surround you all during this time. My deepest condolences. Love, Lin Threatt
May your mother's magnificent light and memory remain forever with us.
We embrace your entire family with our love and prayers of comfort, The Cheek Family
To Kelvin, Donna and Lori Ann with deepest sympathy from Aunt Emma, Lozetta, Vincent and Little Lee we are so heartbroken on the loss of your loving mother. She was the best. And she will be missed. God bless and keep you all. Love you!
Sincerely, Linda F. Hill
Lori Ann and Family please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your dear mother. May the beautiful memories of her presence sustain you all. I pray you will find comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain and has been reunited with her loving husband in heaven.
We are so very sorry for your loss and we will be thinking of you as you celebrate Marie's beautiful life. We know she will live on in your hearts. Our family will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Melvin Crews Boseman, Carolyn Sweeney Wilks and Family
To Lori Ann, Kelvin and family, I extend my sincere condolences to you during this time of bereavement. Your mother was such a joy to many and was always pleasant. My fondest memory was the times she shared with the Ocean City Beach community, where she would fish often times out performing the men. She will be sorely missed by all.
We send our heartfelt condolences. The Otis Jordan family Sharon,Jr.and Freda.
To Lori Ann and family my condolence and prayers. Marie was a beautiful person with a warm and loving spirit. God will give you strength as you go through these difficult days.
Jacqueline McMillan
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.❤ Sharon Nash-Sellars
I extend my condolences to the entire family. JB Woodhouse and family.
I extend my condolences to the entire family.
I extend my condolences to the entire family. God bless you all.
Mrs. Harris was one of my first Kappa Mothers who embrace me as one of the Family and was always engaging and sweet. We always felt at Home when visting her at the house. We Will miss you dearly in the earthly realm but you will be with Us forever in Spirit.
There are fond memories of family reunions and birthdays that remind us of the wonderful moments that we had with your Mom. May God hold you close and fill you with His Love and Comfort. The Family of Mildred Donnell WyrickB5B9
Lori Ann, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. May God Bless You and Your family during this difficult time.
Winfred Marecheau
Lori Ann, your beautiful mother will be missed. Hold on to the fond memories, they can be a great source of comfort. My heartfelt condolences are with you and your family.
Ann McCabe Beamon
We send heartfelt condolences to Donna, Kevin and LoriAnn as you remember those precious moments of your Mom. We loved Mrs. Harris and always will think of her part in our lives . The Logan and Thornhill siblings
Lori and family you have my deepest heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your Mother! Gloria Draughon and Family.
We are sorry for loss. We will all keep your family in prayer. Sharon & Chris Lee Mark, Sheila & Ron Johnson
It is with sincere condolences and prayers of peace to my classmate Kelvin; Donna & LoriAnn. Our Dudley Heights neighbor Mrs. Harris always smiling with always kind words. R.I.P. Mrs. Harris From Marilyn A. Smith & Family
To Donna and the Harris family our deepest condolences to you all. May God continue to give strength and peace in your time of bereavement. Keeping you all on prayer.
Love Stephanie aka (Lynn) & Jarvis Smith
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
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