Memorial Folder for the Late Alexander D. Harris

Eternal rest Jefferson Barrack National Cemetery

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Family would like to acknowledge with deep appreciation. the many expressions of love during our time of bereavement.

Your thoughts and efforts were greatly appreciated.

Thanks, you for keeping us in your prayers.

May God Bless you all.

The Family

OBITUARY

Alexander Donald Harris, Sr. Alexander D. Harris, Jr., age 98, residing in Jacksonville, Florida transitioned to his Heavenly Home on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Alexander Harris was born on May 3, 1924 in Chicago, IL, to Roosevelt Harris, Sr. and Annie Harris. Alexander was one of five Children. His upbringing was shared with his younger siblings, Roosevelt Harris Jr., William (Bill) Harris, Lawrence Harris, Florence (Harris) Francwar Alexander graduated from Vashon High School St. Louis MO. in 1943.

Alexander served in the Navy from 1943 - 1946 as a U.S. Navy, Fireman, Second Class. He entered the Navy Class A Service School at the U.S. Naval Training Center starting as a Subgroup IIIa (Machinist Mate). Alexander married Minnie P. (Scales) Harris on June 15th, 1947 in St Louis, MO. The couple had 2 children, Sandra (Bonnie) and Alexander Jr. Upon discharge from the Navy, he entered a Finance Trade School and finished as a journeyman. This career path did not suit him, so he decided to start a career at the United States Postal Service for the next 33 years.

After a rewarding career at the USPS, he retired. Retirement was great but he needed something more to do and entered the St. Louis Court System as a clerk with a sitting judge for the next 14 years. Upon retiring for the second and final time, he and his wife Minnie traveled to as many places as they could. Alexander was best known for his love for contemporary jazz, and he had a great music collection to prove it.

Alexander had a love for football and over the years, he made it possible to enjoy bring a group together known as the “The Big 10”.

They would rarely missed a St. Louis Cardinal football game.

This sense of enjoying and absorbing life was found in his love for his family. How he captured a moment through his love of photography.

Most of the family pictures were taken by him. Yet his love truly was reflected in his investment into all of Us. His voice, his values, his Meticulous but entertaining way and sense of Humor.

"A place for everything and everything in its place." We all enjoyed his great sense of humor yet we also respected it, for it left an impression on All our lives. His legacy is his family and worked very hard to provide for them. He loved children.

He could be very original, satirical and comical at times.

His words to those attending would encompass all these things in a pleasant manner. One the most important events to Alexander’s life was the birth of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Alexander was a man that cared for people and would assist them with guidance and support when they needed it most. He believed in God, our Creator and Jesus, our Savior. He attended church and contributed regularly.

We would be very disappointed if the of celebration of his life became a sad and depressing event. His glass was always half full rather than half empty.

Mr. Alexander D. Harris Sr. has left to cherish in his memory: Mrs. Sandra (Bonnie) Reynolds, daughter and son-in-law, Mr. Charles Arthur Reynolds , and his son Mr. Alexander Harris Jr and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lisa Harris. His Grandchildren: Carmen Buchanan, Damon Harris, Ian Buchanan, Erica Barnes, Charles Adrian Reynolds; His Great-Grandchildren: Nia Buchanan, Dominic Harris, Adrienne Barnes, Alexis Barnes.

Alexander also leaves his beloved siblings: Florence Francwar, Lawrence Harris (Elaine), William (Bill) Harris, and Roosevelt Harris Jr. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Alexander is preceded in death by his father, Roosevelt Harris, Sr., his Mother Annie Harris , and he has found himself reunited with his beloved wife Minnie P. Harris.

O B I T U A R Y

So. Jacksonville, Florida

St. Louis, Missouri

ORDER OF SERVICE

ORDER OF SERVICE

Presiding Pastor: Rev. Dr. Mark L. Griffin, Sr Wayman Temple AME Church

Officiating Reverend Sheila L. Scott Imani AME Church

~ Musical Prelude ~

~ Musical Prelude ~

Processional

Processional

Invocation Minister

Invocation Minister

Scripture Readings Old Testament New Testament

Scripture Readings Old Testament New Testament

~ Music Selection ~

~ Music Selection ~

Reflections Members of the Family

Reflections Members of the Family

(Please 2 minutes)

(Please 2 minutes)

Resolutions

Resolutions

~ Music Selection ~

~ Music Selection ~

Words of Comfort Rev. Dr. Mark L. Griffin

Eulogy Elder Lee C. Goodman

Recessional

Recessional

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O R D E R O F S E R V I C E

My Popsie Wopsie.

I’ve always felt so special to be your “Nee-Lo” (who knows where that name came from but for Popsie, it just makes sense). Having you as a great-grandfather is something I’ve always truly valued and absolutely loved.

From waking up on weekend mornings to your special oatmeal, watching cardinals fly by with you and Mesh through the back window of Dolphin Circle. Driving around in the green Camry with not a speck of dirt in sight. Helping mommy get food ready for you and the Big 10. Hearing the buzz of your shaving ritual and you being proud to wear the Alabama A&M Dad shirt because of course there was no Great Grandpa shirt. The list of memories and special moments goes on and on. I just wish we had more time. It just felt like you would be here forever. But I’m so glad that on every trip we made to JAX, it was an absolute priority to see our Popsie to take lots of pictures and videos. Those photos and videos, along with so many others, made it possible for me to show my future children, just like he did for us.

Popsie, your special love for each of us will be felt forever and ever. We know the value of hard work, strong faith, laughter and that sometimes a little cuss is necessary (the quality in which you developed later in life). Enjoy your everlasting supply of dark chocolate and please hug my Mesh around the neck for me.

-Nee-Lo

WHEN I THINK OF POPSIE, I THINK OF

Proverbs 3:3-4

Our memories of Popsie: Christmas tree trimmings going vertical instead of horizontal like most people, the best oatmeal, Neapolitan ice cream, Noxema smooth shaved face in the evening, that bar of golden colored soap in the bathroom (I can remember the smell of it but not the name), ginger snaps, clean car, always sweeping, moth balls in the basement, always a variety of Vess soda and Coke in the basement.

He was always sweeping. And always on Monday was IMO’s, Friday was McDonald for breakfast and Chinese food for dinner with the people calling him Mister Harry. And he called me Coco Ree-nee.

R E F L E C T I O N S

“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.” I along with sooooooo many others have nothing but wonderful things to say about this truly great man. And we can go on and on about how loyal he was to his family and those around him, and also the jobs he worked. He was so loyal that he retired from 2 jobs over the course of 40+ years. I’ve heard countless stories about all the cars, money, housing, time, etc. he’s helped es people out with.

He even shared tons of chocolatey goodies with me while we watched hundreds of movies with ‘the graphic violence’ in them. Not only was he kind and loyal but at times he was hysterically funny too. In my life I’d never heard my grandaddy utter one single four letter word. So it would just crack me up the past couple years to hear him ‘giving me the business’ along with anyone else that was within earshot. But he would cuss you out and warmly and softly tell you thank you in the same sentence. What an awesomely kind man!

Favor was all over Popsie’s life too. When he passed away he had two of the most incredible and compassionate longstanding caregivers at memory care facility by his side. And they said that Popsie passed away quietly and peacefully in his sleep. Ain’t GOD good! Can’t help but think that if we can all live our lives with loyalty and kindness like Popsie, then we too can leave an amazingly impactful legacy just as he did. ❤Damon

Popsie, there will never be anyone like you. You were such a unique and loving personality. We adore how happy you were when we told you Alexis was named after you. She has a huge heart and sweet soul just like you. We remember you being such a neat person but would not get upset if we made a mess. So kind and understanding. Your smile and silliness we miss. The memory of that flourish you did after burping from a sip of Coke and the look on Mesh’s face will forever make us happy. We are so grateful to have been blessed with such a soft soul. We miss you terribly but are so happy you are at peace with Mesh and Big Momma.

Back when I was in middle school, Popsie and myself was watching a Jaguar football game. During a break in the game, a WWF commercial came on. After the commercial went off, I asked Popsie what he would call himself if he was a WWF wrestler. Popsie said “I’d call myself… Don Diego!” I asked why? Popsie said “Because it sounds cool…. and to see if it would drive your Grandmother crazy.”

Adrian

Our Grandfather also had many names: Alexander, Alex, Al, Big Alec, and one in particular that not very many people know about.

Our Popsie ,” the mailman”, carried mail to the same families on the same route, year after year. He was so loved by those families that each Christmas they would give him all kinds of special gifts.

One year, he received a box of handkerchiefs: each one embroidered with the letter “E”. I remember asking him what the “E” was for and he said, “Elliot”. That's what they call me!

Popsie. That’s the name all of your Grandchildren will forever call you! God gave us the best…Our Popsie, and we are eternally grateful to be able to call you that for the rest of our lives.

Carmen

With grateful hearts and TONS OF LOVE, Erica, Adrienne and Alexis “POPSIE” FAMILY MAN, Navy man, postman, photographer, avid football fan, music lover, vinyl album collector, roller-skater, dancer, movie watcher (movies with lots of “graphic violence” were his favorite), lawn-care specialist, and fixer of EVERYTHING. Our Popsie was a man with many, MANY routines and rituals! He ended EVERY holiday dinner blessing with…“Good bread, Good meat, Good GOD ,Let’s eat!”

The “girls” in his life: Big mama, Aunt Florence, Minnie Pearl and her sisters and all the nieces, Bonnie, Lisa, Carmen, Érica, Nia, Adrienne and his namesake, Alexis…he ALWAYS treated us like queens. He was THEEE BEST example of how a man should love and care for a woman. He spoiled us all!!

R E F L E C T I O N S

L O V I N G M E M O R I E S