Jimmy Dee Harris, Sr.

Jimmy Dee Harris, Sr. was born on March 12, 1950, to Lester Harris, Sr. and Ruth Crochan-Harris in Bessemer, Alabama. On May 16, 2025, he was called home to be with the Lord.

At just 17 years old, Jimmy married his childhood sweetheart, Eloise Banks, on July 21, 1967. She was 15 at the time, and their loving union lasted 58 beautiful years. Together, they were blessed with five children.

Jimmy accepted Christ at a young age at Big Antioch Baptist Church in the Pipe Shop Community of Bessemer. Later, he and Eloise became members of Macedonia Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as an usher until his health declined.

As a young husband and father, Jimmy worked hard to support his family, holding various jobs in Bessemer and Birmingham. He began his career with Alabama Gas Corporation as a laborer and eventually became a Meter Reader. The role suited him perfectly-he loved meeting new people and walking miles each day, which kept him in great shape. Aftft er over 40 years of dedicated service, Jimmy retired and began what he liked to call his second career": enjoying life. He loved spending quality time with Eloise, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, especially on family trips to the beach, Disney World, and visits with extended family and friends.

Known affectionately as "Big Jim" or "Coach Harris," Jimmy had a deep love for children and the elderly. He served as head coach for youth teams at Fair Park Recreation and the Police Athletic Team (PAT). Realizing the impact he could have beyond sports, he stepped out on faith and founded the Westside Youth Program, where he served as founder, director, and head coach. Through this community-based organization, he used sports-softft ball, baseball, and basketball-as a way to teach discipline, respect, responsibility, and life skills. He and his team provided transportation to and from practices and games, ensuring every child had a chance to participate.

At the end of each season, Coach Harris, the youth, their families, and staff would work the concession stands at the Hoover Met during football games. The funds raised helped fifi nance the program and made it possible to reward the players-and some parents-with a memorable vacation.

Coach Harris wasn't just a coach-he was a father fifi gure, counselor, mentor, and life coach to hundreds of youths, throughout the inner city. His leadership helped shape futures and build careers.

Jimmy was also famous in the family for giving all the new babies their nicknames-a tradition many loved and looked forward to, whether the name stuck or not.

He especially loved the holiday season, with Christmas being his favorite. His home would be filled from flfl oor to ceiling with gift s for family, neighbors, teammates, and church members. He made it a point to make everyone feel loved, even going door-to-door to personally deliver gifts to his neighbors. No matter where he traveled, he always brought back a small gift or token for his siblings, in-laws, and friends to let them know he was thinking of them.

There is so much more we could say about Jimmy Harris-too much to fifi t on one page. He was a loving husband, incredible father, proud grandfather, and joyful great-grandfather. He was a strong Black man who served his family, church, and community with humility, love, and grace. Never one to seek recognition, Jimmy did God's work quietly but left an unforgettable impact on everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester, Sr. and Ruth Harris; his son, Marcus Harris; his brothers, Lester, Jr., Nathaniel, Sylvester, Sr., Michael, and Bernard, Sr. and his sisters, Augusta Harris and Ruby Nell Harris.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife, Eloise Harris; four children, Michelle Harris, Jimmy Harris, Jr., Jenifur (Josh, Sr.) Petty, and Maurice (Erica Rogers) Harris; 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, all of Birmingham, AL. He is also survived by fifi ve sisters, Frances (Tyrone) Bates of Decatur, GA, and Deborah Harris, Donna Harris, Diane Chappell, and Dorothy Ruth Harris, all of Birmingham, AL; one sister-in-law, Doris Banks of Hoover; one brother-in-law, Jerry Royal of Bessemer, AL and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Jimmy Harris gave love in so many ways, and we returned it. He will be forever missed, and even more, forever loved.