Obituary of Alexander Nathan Harris

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14: 27 Alexander Nathan Harris was born on April 2, 1936 to the late Marcellus and Florine Harris in Powhatan County, Virginia. At an early age he accepted Christ and was baptized and joined Hollywood Baptist Church. He served on the usher ministry and attended Sunday School regularly. Alex graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1956. Before graduating from high school, he began working for the Bank of Powhatan and 42 years later retired as the only part time custodian for the bank. During those years with the bank he saw multiple name changes, Jefferson National, Southern Bank and currently Wells Fargo. Alex never let a hard day's work stop him; soon after getting the part-time job, he began working with the Powhatan County Schools. For 52 years in the daylight and dark, Alex walked Powhatan County' school's halls and became a fixture for the schools. He saw the separation of schools, Pocahontas and Powhatan but each summer the two schools consolidated to do maintenance for both schools. Each year the two schools custodial crew merged to garner coal from six railroad cars located in Mosely, this tedious job of loading coal into trucks, then onto conveyor belts at each school continued from June 15 to July 3 to provide heat for the schools. When Alex became the supervisor, he instituted the use of a custodial night crew. While employed with Powhatan County Public schools, Alex gave opportunities for employment for many men and women throughout Powhatan and the surrounding counties. He believed in giving everyone an opportunity. Through his dedication and commitment to the county school system, he roused to the ranks as the Director of Maintenance for the Powhatan County School System. As a young teen he met the love of his life, Jaunise "Tunny" Taylor. On December 21, 1956, he married his childhood sweetheart and out of this union of sixty years, six children were born, Terry, Germando, Tammie, Tangye, Darryl and Candelaria. He was an amazing provider to his family and always made sure his wife and children wanted for nothing. His children, grands and great grands were the love of his life. At our family gatherings you would find the family surrounding him waiting to hear his famous jokes. Alex was loved by many, he was kind and caring to his family and friends and anyone in need. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports, as well as traveling with his wife to many Redskins games as well traveling around world. Although they let him down many times, his favorite teams were the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Browns. October 24, 2017, in the dawn of the day, Alex peacefully made his way to heaven's gate. He leaves to cherish fond memories a loving devoted wife, Jaunise Harris, three sons, Terry (Loreen), Germando (Debra), Darryl (Debbie); three daughters, Tammie Woodson (Larry), Tangye Harris, Canderlaria Daniels (Roger); he leaves a legacy of ten grandchildren, Corey, Brandy (Robert), Candace, Trae, Ryan, Sean, Jarrett, Justin, Donte Johnson (Lisa), Erica Dorliae (Martin); nine great-grandchildren, Jaylen, Caleb, Robert, Gabrielle, Symone, Moriah and Macai, Shell Jr. and Sheyla; three brothers-in-laws, Winfred, Melvin, Stanley; six sisters-in-law, Genevieve Peterson, Louise Taylor-Davis, Delores, Palmira, Marsha, and Jean; four aunts, Mabel Mack, Bernice Harris, Helen Jones, Georgianna Taliaferro; two uncles, James and Wallace Scruggs; a host of nieces, nephews, one devoted, Valante Peterson, cousins and friends, four devoted friends, Clinton Hewitt, Michael Johnson, Charlie Williams and Welden Hobson. For we know that if the earthy tent we live in is destroyed we have a building from God a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1