Raymond Harris

November 4, 1936 - March 22, 2014

Deacon Raymond Harris was born on November 4, 1936 in Frankfort Kentucky. He was the youngest child of the late Jimmy Harris and the late Lillian Harris. His seven brothers and one sister all preceded him in death. He went home to be with the Lord on March 22, 2014 at the Triple Creek Retirement Community in Cincinnati, Ohio, following an extended illness. He was surrounded by his loving family. Raymond was educated in the Frankfort Public School System. He attended Mayo Elementary School and graduated from the Mayo-Underwood High School. Raymond’s career spanned over twenty-four years as an employee of the General Motors Plant in Fairfield, Ohio, until the plant closed. He retired from the Cincinnati Public School District, as an aid to special needs children, following twelve years of service. Raymond met the love of his life, the late Margaret Harris (nee Jorden) while she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at Kentucky State University. Raymond and Margaret were joined in Holy matrimony in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 10, 1961. Their marriage was blessed with one son, Antoine, “Tony”, to whom Raymond was an especially faithful father. Raymond and Margaret also reared one of her sisters, Karen Fairbanks and two of her brothers, Luther and Maurice Jorden. He was a devoted uncle to all of his nieces and nephews. Raymond exemplified the duties of a Deacon through his service to God, his family and his church. Raymond was baptized at an early age at the Corinthian Baptist Church in Frankfort, Ky. Following his marriage to Margaret, he became a member of First Baptist Church of Cumminsville. Raymond was ordained as a Deacon by Reverend George Southerland, later becoming the Chairman of the Deacon Board until his illness prevented his continued service. In addition to being Chairman of the Deacon Board, he was an active and devoted member and leader of numerous auxiliaries. He was a Charter Member of the Male Chorus. He was a Charter Member of the Pastoral Choir. He reinstated weekly Prayer Meetings in the Church. He served on the Church’s Anniversary Committee, Pastor’s Anniversary Committee, and Bereavement Committee. For over twenty years, Raymond and Margaret produced a Church Birthday and Anniversary Calendar as a major fundraiser. Raymond worked diligently on the Church’s Building Fund resulting in an addition that doubled the size of the church. Raymond leaves to cherish his memory one faithful son Tony (Alicia), five dear grandchildren, a devoted aunt, Alice Fletcher, his niece, Sharon Givens, who was his faithful helpmate during his illness, two godchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.