Edgar J. Harris Jr.

Deacon Edgar Joseph Harris Jr. Life began 78 years ago when God blessed the late Edgar Joseph Harris Sr. and Dora Beatrice Harris with a son after having two daughters Sylvia and June. This eventful date was April 30, 1938 in Cambridge, Maryland. Some years later they welcomed a brother Melvin Henson whom they raised as their own. His family was united in love, devotion and Christian ethics. Buzzy was very firm with his children, grand, and great grandchildren, yet they could get anything from him. He would pull out his stick and crack the whip but those boys had his heart. Yet the girls could get anything but he would never admit it. Daddy, dada, dad or pop pop: that would get him or just ask him to make his pineapple upside down or cheese cakes they were the best. Buzzy loved cars, buying a new one every two to four years. He just loved sitting in the kitchen watching the Orioles play and eating ice cream. So many people moved from the Eastern Shore and other places and stayed at the house making our home their home. Although he was firm and stern, he had such a generous heart. Ed Harris received his education through the Dorchester County School System Graduating from Maces Lane high school in 1956; afterwards joining the U.S. Air Force spending most of his duty in Alaska as an Electrician. After leaving the military he did not want to move back too Cambridge so he sought employment in Baltimore where he had several jobs such as detailing cars, and driving cabs before obtaining employment with the General Motors Assembly Plant on Broening highway where he worked for 35 years before retiring on April 30, 1998. Buzzy as a child attended Waugh United Methodist Church and Bethel AME Methodist Church. Ed became a member of North Star Baptist later becoming and joining the Deacon Board. He took that position serious. He was also on the Trustee Board and Choir member, attending Northwestern Bible College and Seminary for a few years. Buzzy loved singing in the choir along with visiting and fellowship with other Churches. He would go all over the city and other states for singing. A few of his favorite groups are Wilson singers, Victorian singers, Heavenly sons, and Wilson Park Male singer also the Voices of the hill gospel singer. He met his wife Portia in 1960 at the hospital they became friends but went different directions. Then in 1966 they would meet again and marry October 14, 1974. Married 42 years, this union lasted fifty years having four children, thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. He loved family dinners every other month the last one held August in Cambridge. Playing games, eating all kinds of food, especially seafood eastern shore style. Taking family trips cruises, across the country, down south are just a few. We cannot forget him being very active, walking the grand and great grandchildren to school and giving them the speech on the importance of attending school and that you can't just stay home. Because he said if he went to work getting perfect attendance most of his 35 years we all could go to school. Holding firmly and lovingly to sweet memories of Buzzy are his loving wife Portia, his endeared children Andre M. Harris, Sandra V. Harrs, Parrish C. Payton (Diana). Ja'Layne C. Young (Albert). Edgar J. Harris III, Sister-in-law/Daughter Renee L. Copper (Richard), and Frank Bilbrey (Shara) Grandchildren, Deray (Laura), Ashley (Steven), Ja'Neyl (Jeffrey), Brittany, Jerrod, Elyshia, Eddie Justin, Eyan, Elijah, Zanahya, Richie, Quinn and Keneesha. Great grand Children Derayl Jr, Jayla, Tyler, Jordan, Charell, Miracle, Josiah, Olivia, Stevyie, RJ, Joshua, and Isiaiah. His sister June Johnson his brothers in law Gardy Payton (Helen) Tyrone Wilson (Darlene) sisters in-law Barbara Stafford, Gloria Young (Harold), Betty Gaskin, Delliah Jones (Arthur) a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. His extended family and close friends includes Nathaniel Morris, Charles Moore, Edward G. Robinson, Earl G. King and Harold Young. Billie, Eddie and Bernadette Ballard and John Harris. Edgar was preceded in his death by his parents Edgar and Dora Harris, brother Melvin Henson, sister Sylvia Waller and nephew Tyrone Harris.

Tributes

Edgar J. Harris Jr.

April 30, 1938 - November 3, 2016