A Short Story of His Life
Marvin Harris was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the oldest son of his parents, Jereline Harris and Thomas Curry. Marvin moved with his mother to Wilmington, Delaware as a boy. While he left the South early, he did not leave behind his southern charm or kind manner, nor could he. It would be easier for water to cease to be wet than for Marvin to cease to be kind.
For many years, Marvin lived on Jefferson Street in Wilmington near P.S. DuPont with his loving wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Pegram-Harris. If you ever stopped to visit Marvin, you could count on two things: to be greeted with a smile and to know that the smile was sincere because Marvin was genuinely glad to see you, hear about your life, and spend a little time with you. He was always like that from his first days through his last days.
During his early days, Marvin ran the streets of Wilmington. He literally ran the streets. He loved to be outside running free. He often told people how much he loved to run. However, he did not have to tell you. If you saw him in action, you knew he loved to run. He was a natural and a tremendous athlete. As a teenager, he was the star running back for the Wilmington High School Red Devils. If he got to the sideline and turned the corner, he was gone. Next stop, touchdown! Then, you would get his characteristic big smile.
His running days slowed when he met his first wife, Pam, who was the younger sister of his high school friends and teammates, Darryl and Phillip Smith. In addition to being kind, Marvin was a brave man as Pam had six brothers to contend with if he ever treated her wrong. He never did.
Pam and Marvin were parents to four children, Chelise, Derek, Brandon, and April. All four of his children grew up firmly believing, their Dad was the fastest man in the world. He raced all of his children all the time and always won. He would never decline a challenge to race. The usual distance was one city block with Marvin often giving them a half block head start before he won. His children forced him to race all their friends. With the weight of his children’s pride on his shoulders, he beat all their friends too! And he always did it with a smile.
To support his family as a young man, Marvin enlisted and served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1977 to 1981. He earned awards during his years of service for marksmanship, a sea service deployment ribbon, and a good conduct medal. Marvin received an honorable discharge after serving domestically and overseas in Japan and Korea. Marvin achieved the rank of lance corporal at the time of his discharge. He then entered the Marine Corps Reserve Unit.
When Marvin left the Marines, he returned to Delaware to raise and support his family. For over twenty years, he worked and was well-known at Brandywine High School where he was the head of the night maintenance team. All of his co-workers knew him to be a proud family man.
After Marvin’s marriage to Pam ended, he started a new love story with Dottie, his second wife and partner for life. They were married in 2000. They merged their lives together and did everything together – often matching from head to toe – no matter the weather. Short sets, sweat suits, church clothes, pajamas and more. If you could wear it, they could match it. Their motto seemed to be, “The couple that matches together stays together.” It worked! Marvin and Dottie had a close and loving marriage for all of their days together.
Marvin found joy in many ways. He loved going to the movies, cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, collecting Negro League baseball team hats, and listening to Maze and Frankie Beverly. However, he was happiest when he was with or talking about family, especially about his eight grandchildren who made him most proud.
Marvin Harris was a special man. If you had the privilege to call him husband, dad, brother, uncle, cousin or friend, you know having Marvin in your life was a blessing. He would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. He took pride in the accomplishments of his family and friends. He would regularly call his loved ones, not to talk too much, but to listen and take joy in sharing in their lives.
In addition to being a fast man and a family man, Marvin was also a man of faith. He was a member at St. Paul United American Methodist Episcopal Church, where he served for many years on the Men’s Usher Board. Family and faith were the cornerstones of his life. If you knew him, you know he walked the talk.
In Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV), Jesus instructs us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Marvin was always true to these commandments.
Marvin earned his room in God’s house with his mother, Jereline, and father, Tommy, who were there waiting to greet him. Marvin is survived by his loving wife, Dottie Pegram-Harris, his four children: Chelise Harris, Derek Harris (Kelly), Brandon Harris (Melissa), and April Harris (Brandin); eight grandchildren: Rhian, Kayli, Michael, Imari, Imani, Mikayla, Max, and Skylar; four siblings: Volyncia Tamola, Tracey Hemsley, Yolanda Montgomery, and Vernon Curry; his stepmother, Gertrude Curry, mother-in-law, Patricia Bell, father-in-law, Ray Bell, his close cousin, Stephanie Carter, and a host of extended family members and close friends.
Marvin was a great man and he is truly missed today. While he is no longer with us, Marvin will never be forgotten and will forever occupy a special place in the hearts and minds of his family and friends. He was a shining example of a life well-lived. Marvin was quiet, calm, gentle, patient, and genuine. His loved ones honor him going forward whenever they let these qualities shine through in them as you can be sure that is a little bit of Marvin shining through.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16
Marvin Harris was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the oldest son of his parents, Jereline Harris and Thomas Curry. Marvin moved with his mother to Wilmington, Delaware as a boy. While he left the South early, he did not leave behind his southern charm or kind manner, nor could he. It would be easier for water to cease to be wet than for Marvin to cease to be kind.
For many years, Marvin lived on Jefferson Street in Wilmington near P.S. DuPont with his loving wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Pegram-Harris. If you ever stopped to visit Marvin, you could count on two things: to be greeted with a smile and to know that the smile was sincere because Marvin was genuinely glad to see you, hear about your life, and spend a little time with you. He was always like that from his first days through his last days.
During his early days, Marvin ran the streets of Wilmington. He literally ran the streets. He loved to be outside running free. He often told people how much he loved to run. However, he did not have to tell you. If you saw him in action, you knew he loved to run. He was a natural and a tremendous athlete. As a teenager, he was the star running back for the Wilmington High School Red Devils. If he got to the sideline and turned the corner, he was gone. Next stop, touchdown! Then, you would get his characteristic big smile.
His running days slowed when he met his first wife, Pam, who was the younger sister of his high school friends and teammates, Darryl and Phillip Smith. In addition to being kind, Marvin was a brave man as Pam had six brothers to contend with if he ever treated her wrong. He never did.
Pam and Marvin were parents to four children, Chelise, Derek, Brandon, and April. All four of his children grew up firmly believing, their Dad was the fastest man in the world. He raced all of his children all the time and always won. He would never decline a challenge to race. The usual distance was one city block with Marvin often giving them a half block head start before he won. His children forced him to race all their friends. With the weight of his children’s pride on his shoulders, he beat all their friends too! And he always did it with a smile.
To support his family as a young man, Marvin enlisted and served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1977 to 1981. He earned awards during his years of service for marksmanship, a sea service deployment ribbon, and a good conduct medal. Marvin received an honorable discharge after serving domestically and overseas in Japan and Korea. Marvin achieved the rank of lance corporal at the time of his discharge. He then entered the Marine Corps Reserve Unit.
When Marvin left the Marines, he returned to Delaware to raise and support his family. For over twenty years, he worked and was well-known at Brandywine High School where he was the head of the night maintenance team. All of his co-workers knew him to be a proud family man.
After Marvin’s marriage to Pam ended, he started a new love story with Dottie, his second wife and partner for life. They were married in 2000. They merged their lives together and did everything together – often matching from head to toe – no matter the weather. Short sets, sweat suits, church clothes, pajamas and more. If you could wear it, they could match it. Their motto seemed to be, “The couple that matches together stays together.” It worked! Marvin and Dottie had a close and loving marriage for all of their days together.
Marvin found joy in many ways. He loved going to the movies, cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, collecting Negro League baseball team hats, and listening to Maze and Frankie Beverly. However, he was happiest when he was with or talking about family, especially about his eight grandchildren who made him most proud.
Marvin Harris was a special man. If you had the privilege to call him husband, dad, brother, uncle, cousin or friend, you know having Marvin in your life was a blessing. He would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. He took pride in the accomplishments of his family and friends. He would regularly call his loved ones, not to talk too much, but to listen and take joy in sharing in their lives.
In addition to being a fast man and a family man, Marvin was also a man of faith. He was a member at St. Paul United American Methodist Episcopal Church, where he served for many years on the Men’s Usher Board. Family and faith were the cornerstones of his life. If you knew him, you know he walked the talk.
In Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV), Jesus instructs us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Marvin was always true to these commandments.
Marvin earned his room in God’s house with his mother, Jereline, and father, Tommy, who were there waiting to greet him. Marvin is survived by his loving wife, Dottie Pegram-Harris, his four children: Chelise Harris, Derek Harris (Kelly), Brandon Harris (Melissa), and April Harris (Brandin); eight grandchildren: Rhian, Kayli, Michael, Imari, Imani, Mikayla, Max, and Skylar; four siblings: Volyncia Tamola, Tracey Hemsley, Yolanda Montgomery, and Vernon Curry; his stepmother, Gertrude Curry, mother-in-law, Patricia Bell, father-in-law, Ray Bell, his close cousin, Stephanie Carter, and a host of extended family members and close friends.
Marvin was a great man and he is truly missed today. While he is no longer with us, Marvin will never be forgotten and will forever occupy a special place in the hearts and minds of his family and friends. He was a shining example of a life well-lived. Marvin was quiet, calm, gentle, patient, and genuine. His loved ones honor him going forward whenever they let these qualities shine through in them as you can be sure that is a little bit of Marvin shining through.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16
A Short Story of His Life
Marvin Harris was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the oldest son of his parents, Jereline Harris and Thomas Curry. Marvin moved with his mother to Wilmington, Delaware as a boy. While he left the South early, he did not leave behind his southern charm or kind manner, nor could he. It would be easier for water to cease to be wet than for Marvin to cease to be kind.
For many years, Marvin lived on Jefferson Street in Wilmington near P.S. DuPont with his loving wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Pegram-Harris. If you ever stopped to visit Marvin, you could count on two things: to be greeted with a smile and to know that the smile was sincere because Marvin was genuinely glad to see you, hear about your life, and spend a little time with you. He was always like that from his first days through his last days.
During his early days, Marvin ran the streets of Wilmington. He literally ran the streets. He loved to be outside running free. He often told people how much he loved to run. However, he did not have to tell you. If you saw him in action, you knew he loved to run. He was a natural and a tremendous athlete. As a teenager, he was the star running back for the Wilmington High School Red Devils. If he got to the sideline and turned the corner, he was gone. Next stop, touchdown! Then, you would get his characteristic big smile.
His running days slowed when he met his first wife, Pam, who was the younger sister of his high school friends and teammates, Darryl and Phillip Smith. In addition to being kind, Marvin was a brave man as Pam had six brothers to contend with if he ever treated her wrong. He never did.
Pam and Marvin were parents to four children, Chelise, Derek, Brandon, and April. All four of his children grew up firmly believing, their Dad was the fastest man in the world. He raced all of his children all the time and always won. He would never decline a challenge to race. The usual distance was one city block with Marvin often giving them a half block head start before he won. His children forced him to race all their friends. With the weight of his children’s pride on his shoulders, he beat all their friends too! And he always did it with a smile.
To support his family as a young man, Marvin enlisted and served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1977 to 1981. He earned awards during his years of service for marksmanship, a sea service deployment ribbon, and a good conduct medal. Marvin received an honorable discharge after serving domestically and overseas in Japan and Korea. Marvin achieved the rank of lance corporal at the time of his discharge. He then entered the Marine Corps Reserve Unit.
When Marvin left the Marines, he returned to Delaware to raise and support his family. For over twenty years, he worked and was well-known at Brandywine High School where he was the head of the night maintenance team. All of his co-workers knew him to be a proud family man.
After Marvin’s marriage to Pam ended, he started a new love story with Dottie, his second wife and partner for life. They were married in 2000. They merged their lives together and did everything together – often matching from head to toe – no matter the weather. Short sets, sweat suits, church clothes, pajamas and more. If you could wear it, they could match it. Their motto seemed to be, “The couple that matches together stays together.” It worked! Marvin and Dottie had a close and loving marriage for all of their days together.
Marvin found joy in many ways. He loved going to the movies, cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, collecting Negro League baseball team hats, and listening to Maze and Frankie Beverly. However, he was happiest when he was with or talking about family, especially about his eight grandchildren who made him most proud.
Marvin Harris was a special man. If you had the privilege to call him husband, dad, brother, uncle, cousin or friend, you know having Marvin in your life was a blessing. He would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. He took pride in the accomplishments of his family and friends. He would regularly call his loved ones, not to talk too much, but to listen and take joy in sharing in their lives.
In addition to being a fast man and a family man, Marvin was also a man of faith. He was a member at St. Paul United American Methodist Episcopal Church, where he served for many years on the Men’s Usher Board. Family and faith were the cornerstones of his life. If you knew him, you know he walked the talk.
In Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV), Jesus instructs us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Marvin was always true to these commandments.
Marvin earned his room in God’s house with his mother, Jereline, and father, Tommy, who were there waiting to greet him. Marvin is survived by his loving wife, Dottie Pegram-Harris, his four children: Chelise Harris, Derek Harris (Kelly), Brandon Harris (Melissa), and April Harris (Brandin); eight grandchildren: Rhian, Kayli, Michael, Imari, Imani, Mikayla, Max, and Skylar; four siblings: Volyncia Tamola, Tracey Hemsley, Yolanda Montgomery, and Vernon Curry; his stepmother, Gertrude Curry, mother-in-law, Patricia Bell, father-in-law, Ray Bell, his close cousin, Stephanie Carter, and a host of extended family members and close friends.
Marvin was a great man and he is truly missed today. While he is no longer with us, Marvin will never be forgotten and will forever occupy a special place in the hearts and minds of his family and friends. He was a shining example of a life well-lived. Marvin was quiet, calm, gentle, patient, and genuine. His loved ones honor him going forward whenever they let these qualities shine through in them as you can be sure that is a little bit of Marvin shining through.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16
Marvin Harris was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the oldest son of his parents, Jereline Harris and Thomas Curry. Marvin moved with his mother to Wilmington, Delaware as a boy. While he left the South early, he did not leave behind his southern charm or kind manner, nor could he. It would be easier for water to cease to be wet than for Marvin to cease to be kind.
For many years, Marvin lived on Jefferson Street in Wilmington near P.S. DuPont with his loving wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Pegram-Harris. If you ever stopped to visit Marvin, you could count on two things: to be greeted with a smile and to know that the smile was sincere because Marvin was genuinely glad to see you, hear about your life, and spend a little time with you. He was always like that from his first days through his last days.
During his early days, Marvin ran the streets of Wilmington. He literally ran the streets. He loved to be outside running free. He often told people how much he loved to run. However, he did not have to tell you. If you saw him in action, you knew he loved to run. He was a natural and a tremendous athlete. As a teenager, he was the star running back for the Wilmington High School Red Devils. If he got to the sideline and turned the corner, he was gone. Next stop, touchdown! Then, you would get his characteristic big smile.
His running days slowed when he met his first wife, Pam, who was the younger sister of his high school friends and teammates, Darryl and Phillip Smith. In addition to being kind, Marvin was a brave man as Pam had six brothers to contend with if he ever treated her wrong. He never did.
Pam and Marvin were parents to four children, Chelise, Derek, Brandon, and April. All four of his children grew up firmly believing, their Dad was the fastest man in the world. He raced all of his children all the time and always won. He would never decline a challenge to race. The usual distance was one city block with Marvin often giving them a half block head start before he won. His children forced him to race all their friends. With the weight of his children’s pride on his shoulders, he beat all their friends too! And he always did it with a smile.
To support his family as a young man, Marvin enlisted and served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1977 to 1981. He earned awards during his years of service for marksmanship, a sea service deployment ribbon, and a good conduct medal. Marvin received an honorable discharge after serving domestically and overseas in Japan and Korea. Marvin achieved the rank of lance corporal at the time of his discharge. He then entered the Marine Corps Reserve Unit.
When Marvin left the Marines, he returned to Delaware to raise and support his family. For over twenty years, he worked and was well-known at Brandywine High School where he was the head of the night maintenance team. All of his co-workers knew him to be a proud family man.
After Marvin’s marriage to Pam ended, he started a new love story with Dottie, his second wife and partner for life. They were married in 2000. They merged their lives together and did everything together – often matching from head to toe – no matter the weather. Short sets, sweat suits, church clothes, pajamas and more. If you could wear it, they could match it. Their motto seemed to be, “The couple that matches together stays together.” It worked! Marvin and Dottie had a close and loving marriage for all of their days together.
Marvin found joy in many ways. He loved going to the movies, cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, collecting Negro League baseball team hats, and listening to Maze and Frankie Beverly. However, he was happiest when he was with or talking about family, especially about his eight grandchildren who made him most proud.
Marvin Harris was a special man. If you had the privilege to call him husband, dad, brother, uncle, cousin or friend, you know having Marvin in your life was a blessing. He would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. He took pride in the accomplishments of his family and friends. He would regularly call his loved ones, not to talk too much, but to listen and take joy in sharing in their lives.
In addition to being a fast man and a family man, Marvin was also a man of faith. He was a member at St. Paul United American Methodist Episcopal Church, where he served for many years on the Men’s Usher Board. Family and faith were the cornerstones of his life. If you knew him, you know he walked the talk.
In Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV), Jesus instructs us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Marvin was always true to these commandments.
Marvin earned his room in God’s house with his mother, Jereline, and father, Tommy, who were there waiting to greet him. Marvin is survived by his loving wife, Dottie Pegram-Harris, his four children: Chelise Harris, Derek Harris (Kelly), Brandon Harris (Melissa), and April Harris (Brandin); eight grandchildren: Rhian, Kayli, Michael, Imari, Imani, Mikayla, Max, and Skylar; four siblings: Volyncia Tamola, Tracey Hemsley, Yolanda Montgomery, and Vernon Curry; his stepmother, Gertrude Curry, mother-in-law, Patricia Bell, father-in-law, Ray Bell, his close cousin, Stephanie Carter, and a host of extended family members and close friends.
Marvin was a great man and he is truly missed today. While he is no longer with us, Marvin will never be forgotten and will forever occupy a special place in the hearts and minds of his family and friends. He was a shining example of a life well-lived. Marvin was quiet, calm, gentle, patient, and genuine. His loved ones honor him going forward whenever they let these qualities shine through in them as you can be sure that is a little bit of Marvin shining through.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
