Wesley Harris, Jr.

Wesley Harris, Jr., affectionately known as “Holy”, was born March 8, 1936, in Greensboro, Alabama. He was the second born of three to the union of Wesley Harris and Jimmie Lee Wagner (Jones). He was a member of New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and was a member of the Men’s Chorus. Wesley grew up in Fairfield, Alabama, where he attended Robinson Elementary School, Fairfield High School (1954), and Miles College (1956-1961). While at Miles he majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. Wesley was an elite athlete lettering in Football, Basketball and Baseball. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Football at Miles College in (1982). While attending Miles College, Wesley was drafted into the U. S. Marine Corps to serve in the Korean War in June (1954-1956). He then re-enlisted from (1963-1967) to serve in the Vietnam War. Wesley met his sweetheart, Ruby Jean Grayson in Hueytown, Alabama. They married on March 4, 1965. This union brought about four children. During this time Wesley worked for the U. S. Postal Service in Birmingham, Alabama from 1963 before retiring March 2003.

Wesley had many talents and accomplishments. He was a writer and author writing several poems, songs, short stories and even a book. Wesley was also an inventor, sending off many patents for his inventions. He loved fishing, barbecuing, gardening, westerns, and music. Wesley enjoyed watching sports as well. Some of his favorite teams were the University of Alabama Football, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Lakers. In his spare time Wesley also enjoyed coaching Little League Football. Wesley was most passionate about his family. He always made it known to them how much he loved them, by doing all in his power to take care of them and make them happy.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley Harris and Jimmie Lee Wagner; sister, Patsy Harris, and brother, Gerald T. Harris. Wesley’s legacy will be carried on by his loving wife of 58 years, Ruby Jean Harris (Grayson); four children, Leslie J. Taylor (Terrence) of Cumming, GA, Wesley Harris, III (Jocelyn) of Alpharetta, GA, Raven Jean Odom (Derick) of Cumming, GA, and Brian Wendell Harris of Hueytown, AL; six grandchildren, Eden Grayson Harris, Kendal Sanai Harris, Raelyn Kaye Odom, Harrison Declan Taylor, Autumn Reign Taylor and Zachary Derick Odom; brothers, Henry Harris (Donna) and Willie Harris (Rhonda); sisters, Loretta Smith of Hueytown, AL, Dorothy Ballard (Eddie) of Milwaukee, WI, Brenda Harris of Bessemer, AL, Sandra McDuffie (Harris) of Birmingham, AL, Christine Harris of Bessemer AL and Portia Harris, Bessemer, AL as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.