Funeral services for Paul Lewis Harris (85) of Jacksonville, Florida were held 12:00 p.m., Monday, February 25, 2013 in the chapel of Prestwood Funeral Home with Rev. Gene Hodges officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Stoney Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Mt. Gilead, North Carolina. Mr. Harris was born on May 5, 1927 in Pee Dee, Montgomery County, North Carolina, son of the late William Sidney Harris and the former Cora Helen Davis. On the evening of February 17, 2013, the Lord called Paul home. Paul attended Montgomery County schools and was a 1944 graduate of Mount Gilead High School. He was note as the "best all around" superlative and was known by the nickname "preacher." He served in the U.S. Army during WWII until his honorable discharge. After his service, he relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina to be with his father. There he met his wife-to-be, living across the street. He worked for the National Biscuit Company and then the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. He was transferred to Jacksonville, Florida due to the relocation of ACL RR headquarters. He attended San Jose Baptist Church and was an ordained deacon of the church. He retired from Seaboard Systems Railroad (now CSX) on January 1, 1985 with more than 35 years of service. He enjoyed his long retirement life with his wife and family. He is survived by: son, Kevin D. Harris (Gloria); three granddaughters, Sharon Harris Lee, Megan B. Harris and Kristen L. Harris; grandson, Kevin Brian Harris (Jordan); two great grandchildren, Jackson T. Lee and Hannah G. Lee; brother, Herbert W. Harris (Betty Ann); several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
ADDITIONAL BIO FROM SON KEVIN DWIGHT HARRIS: Paul was the President of the Student Council at Mount Gilead High School his senior year. The student council was for the entire school not just his class year. Paul married the former Mildred Arlene Auld on April 16, 1949 in Wilmington, NC. During his employment with the ACL/SCL/Seaboard Systems Railroads (now CSX) he mostly worked as a Chief Clerk(management) in Personnel but later worked in Labor Relations as Office Manager. He personally knew many of the railroad presidents including the late Prime Osborn for which the convention center in Jacksonville, FL is named for. According to the Railroad Retirement Board Paul had 37.4 years of creditable service. Paul was always proud of his railroad career. He was a great, kind and loving father to me. I miss him but know he is happy with Mama in his place with the Lord in Heaven.
The following was written by Paul shortly after his wife's death:
PAUL's LETTER TO GOD
Good Morning Lord,
This is your errant servant Paul. We have not talked as often as we should. I find that as I grow older there is less to ask for so now I would spend my time to thank you for your past mercies. First, I would like to thank You for allowing me to be born to parents who loved and walked with You all the days of their lives. You will recall they took me church when I was three weeks old, something not usually done in those days. I thank You for allowing me to grow up in a church among members who had no doubt of their salvation and who were willing to share it. I would also like to thank You for guiding me to a good job with a good company. It allowed me to sustain me and my family. Thank You for leading me to Mildred and for allowing me to keep her for fifty-nine years, and for our son in whom we are well pleased. For our four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Thank You for allowing me to grow up in the midst of elderly people. I was able to see through the wrinkles, grey hair and their bent bodies and see the real person. Thank You for placing stumbling stones in my way so that I would take the right path. Thank You for allowing me to live among those with physical deformities to teach me compassion. Thank You for allowing me to mingle with all races and teach me humility and brotherhood. Thank You for walking with me, and for holding my hand during times of adversity and for keeping me on the path of righteousness. God is do good, God is so good. God is so good to me. As with the words of the chorus on an ancient hymn: "Thank You Lord for saving my soul, Thank You Lord for making me whole, Thank You Lord for giving to me, Thy great Salvation, so full and free." To God be the glory, great things You have done.
For Now,
Paul Harris 2009
ADDITIONAL BIO FROM SON KEVIN DWIGHT HARRIS: Paul was the President of the Student Council at Mount Gilead High School his senior year. The student council was for the entire school not just his class year. Paul married the former Mildred Arlene Auld on April 16, 1949 in Wilmington, NC. During his employment with the ACL/SCL/Seaboard Systems Railroads (now CSX) he mostly worked as a Chief Clerk(management) in Personnel but later worked in Labor Relations as Office Manager. He personally knew many of the railroad presidents including the late Prime Osborn for which the convention center in Jacksonville, FL is named for. According to the Railroad Retirement Board Paul had 37.4 years of creditable service. Paul was always proud of his railroad career. He was a great, kind and loving father to me. I miss him but know he is happy with Mama in his place with the Lord in Heaven.
The following was written by Paul shortly after his wife's death:
PAUL's LETTER TO GOD
Good Morning Lord,
This is your errant servant Paul. We have not talked as often as we should. I find that as I grow older there is less to ask for so now I would spend my time to thank you for your past mercies. First, I would like to thank You for allowing me to be born to parents who loved and walked with You all the days of their lives. You will recall they took me church when I was three weeks old, something not usually done in those days. I thank You for allowing me to grow up in a church among members who had no doubt of their salvation and who were willing to share it. I would also like to thank You for guiding me to a good job with a good company. It allowed me to sustain me and my family. Thank You for leading me to Mildred and for allowing me to keep her for fifty-nine years, and for our son in whom we are well pleased. For our four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Thank You for allowing me to grow up in the midst of elderly people. I was able to see through the wrinkles, grey hair and their bent bodies and see the real person. Thank You for placing stumbling stones in my way so that I would take the right path. Thank You for allowing me to live among those with physical deformities to teach me compassion. Thank You for allowing me to mingle with all races and teach me humility and brotherhood. Thank You for walking with me, and for holding my hand during times of adversity and for keeping me on the path of righteousness. God is do good, God is so good. God is so good to me. As with the words of the chorus on an ancient hymn: "Thank You Lord for saving my soul, Thank You Lord for making me whole, Thank You Lord for giving to me, Thy great Salvation, so full and free." To God be the glory, great things You have done.
For Now,
Paul Harris 2009
Funeral services for Paul Lewis Harris (85) of Jacksonville, Florida were held 12:00 p.m., Monday, February 25, 2013 in the chapel of Prestwood Funeral Home with Rev. Gene Hodges officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Stoney Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Mt. Gilead, North Carolina. Mr. Harris was born on May 5, 1927 in Pee Dee, Montgomery County, North Carolina, son of the late William Sidney Harris and the former Cora Helen Davis. On the evening of February 17, 2013, the Lord called Paul home. Paul attended Montgomery County schools and was a 1944 graduate of Mount Gilead High School. He was note as the "best all around" superlative and was known by the nickname "preacher." He served in the U.S. Army during WWII until his honorable discharge. After his service, he relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina to be with his father. There he met his wife-to-be, living across the street. He worked for the National Biscuit Company and then the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. He was transferred to Jacksonville, Florida due to the relocation of ACL RR headquarters. He attended San Jose Baptist Church and was an ordained deacon of the church. He retired from Seaboard Systems Railroad (now CSX) on January 1, 1985 with more than 35 years of service. He enjoyed his long retirement life with his wife and family. He is survived by: son, Kevin D. Harris (Gloria); three granddaughters, Sharon Harris Lee, Megan B. Harris and Kristen L. Harris; grandson, Kevin Brian Harris (Jordan); two great grandchildren, Jackson T. Lee and Hannah G. Lee; brother, Herbert W. Harris (Betty Ann); several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
ADDITIONAL BIO FROM SON KEVIN DWIGHT HARRIS: Paul was the President of the Student Council at Mount Gilead High School his senior year. The student council was for the entire school not just his class year. Paul married the former Mildred Arlene Auld on April 16, 1949 in Wilmington, NC. During his employment with the ACL/SCL/Seaboard Systems Railroads (now CSX) he mostly worked as a Chief Clerk(management) in Personnel but later worked in Labor Relations as Office Manager. He personally knew many of the railroad presidents including the late Prime Osborn for which the convention center in Jacksonville, FL is named for. According to the Railroad Retirement Board Paul had 37.4 years of creditable service. Paul was always proud of his railroad career. He was a great, kind and loving father to me. I miss him but know he is happy with Mama in his place with the Lord in Heaven.
The following was written by Paul shortly after his wife's death:
PAUL's LETTER TO GOD
Good Morning Lord,
This is your errant servant Paul. We have not talked as often as we should. I find that as I grow older there is less to ask for so now I would spend my time to thank you for your past mercies. First, I would like to thank You for allowing me to be born to parents who loved and walked with You all the days of their lives. You will recall they took me church when I was three weeks old, something not usually done in those days. I thank You for allowing me to grow up in a church among members who had no doubt of their salvation and who were willing to share it. I would also like to thank You for guiding me to a good job with a good company. It allowed me to sustain me and my family. Thank You for leading me to Mildred and for allowing me to keep her for fifty-nine years, and for our son in whom we are well pleased. For our four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Thank You for allowing me to grow up in the midst of elderly people. I was able to see through the wrinkles, grey hair and their bent bodies and see the real person. Thank You for placing stumbling stones in my way so that I would take the right path. Thank You for allowing me to live among those with physical deformities to teach me compassion. Thank You for allowing me to mingle with all races and teach me humility and brotherhood. Thank You for walking with me, and for holding my hand during times of adversity and for keeping me on the path of righteousness. God is do good, God is so good. God is so good to me. As with the words of the chorus on an ancient hymn: "Thank You Lord for saving my soul, Thank You Lord for making me whole, Thank You Lord for giving to me, Thy great Salvation, so full and free." To God be the glory, great things You have done.
For Now,
Paul Harris 2009
ADDITIONAL BIO FROM SON KEVIN DWIGHT HARRIS: Paul was the President of the Student Council at Mount Gilead High School his senior year. The student council was for the entire school not just his class year. Paul married the former Mildred Arlene Auld on April 16, 1949 in Wilmington, NC. During his employment with the ACL/SCL/Seaboard Systems Railroads (now CSX) he mostly worked as a Chief Clerk(management) in Personnel but later worked in Labor Relations as Office Manager. He personally knew many of the railroad presidents including the late Prime Osborn for which the convention center in Jacksonville, FL is named for. According to the Railroad Retirement Board Paul had 37.4 years of creditable service. Paul was always proud of his railroad career. He was a great, kind and loving father to me. I miss him but know he is happy with Mama in his place with the Lord in Heaven.
The following was written by Paul shortly after his wife's death:
PAUL's LETTER TO GOD
Good Morning Lord,
This is your errant servant Paul. We have not talked as often as we should. I find that as I grow older there is less to ask for so now I would spend my time to thank you for your past mercies. First, I would like to thank You for allowing me to be born to parents who loved and walked with You all the days of their lives. You will recall they took me church when I was three weeks old, something not usually done in those days. I thank You for allowing me to grow up in a church among members who had no doubt of their salvation and who were willing to share it. I would also like to thank You for guiding me to a good job with a good company. It allowed me to sustain me and my family. Thank You for leading me to Mildred and for allowing me to keep her for fifty-nine years, and for our son in whom we are well pleased. For our four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Thank You for allowing me to grow up in the midst of elderly people. I was able to see through the wrinkles, grey hair and their bent bodies and see the real person. Thank You for placing stumbling stones in my way so that I would take the right path. Thank You for allowing me to live among those with physical deformities to teach me compassion. Thank You for allowing me to mingle with all races and teach me humility and brotherhood. Thank You for walking with me, and for holding my hand during times of adversity and for keeping me on the path of righteousness. God is do good, God is so good. God is so good to me. As with the words of the chorus on an ancient hymn: "Thank You Lord for saving my soul, Thank You Lord for making me whole, Thank You Lord for giving to me, Thy great Salvation, so full and free." To God be the glory, great things You have done.
For Now,
Paul Harris 2009
