Joseph "Joe" Maitland Harris, 62, of 464 Roberts Road in Eden, passed away Wednesday morning, May 29, 2013.
A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, June 1, at Fair Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the family cemetery at his home.
Mr. Harris was born April 15, 1951 in Greensboro, son of the late Stuart and Edna Harris. He was a member of Brighter Days Ministry where he served as a deacon. Joe began his career, always serving the public, with the Guilford County Ambulance Service before transferring to the Rockingham County Unit. Following that he worked with the Eden Police Department for a short time before joining the NC Highway Patrol in 1975. He retired from that position in 1999 as a Line Sgt. with a total of 30 years combined service. Most recently, he worked for Matthews Casket Company as a delivery driver.
He is survived by his wife, Tanya Johnson Harris of the home; daughters, Lynn Clifton of Eden and Carolyn Sparkman and husband, Steve of Lancaster, Kentucky; son, Christopher Joseph Harris of Nashville, Tennessee; brother, Bud Harris and wife, Shirley of Greensboro; sisters, Mary Hoffend of Hypoluxo, Florida and Emmy Griffin of Greensboro; five grandchildren, Brandon Buckner, Britney Buckner, Brooke Buckner Jessica Clifton and Bailey McMillan; three great-grandchildren, Jayden, Bryson, and Colton; and his close friend, "Ham" Roach.
The family will receive friends Friday evening, 6 - 8 PM at Fair Funeral Home and other times at the home of his daughter, Lynn, at 454 Roberts Road in Eden.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Brighter Days Ministry, 509 Eagle Falls Road, Madison, NC 27025; or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com
my heart breaks for you all. I am so sad to hear this news. You ALL are in my heart & in my prayers. May God be with you in these coming days. May He wrap you in his loving arms & comfort you and ease your pain. My love to you all.
PAM FARMER
Tanya & family, Joe's untimely death is a tragedy none of us expected. We share in your grief today and wish for the family spiritual renewal and healing that will come with time. All the years and exposure Joe had as a NC State Trooper never dimmed that big joyous smile he flashed upon greeting his friends or anyone else. He was a good man and a fine example of what a Trooper should be. May he rest in peace.
JB & Linda Axsom
Sorry to learn about Joe. I haven't seen him in several years but always enjoyed being around him and the family at bluegrass music events. My condolences to the entire family Tom
Tom Evans
Prayers for Tanya, Chris,Carolyn, Lynn and family. May God comfort your hearts and hold you close in the days and weeks ahead. He was a friend to all that knew him and will truly be missed. Love and prayers!
Linda & Larry Pickett
Tanya and family, as you know Joe was my Sergeant when he retired from the Highway Patrol. Joe was an "old school" Sergeant that always tried to look after his troopers the best that he could, and I know we contributed to his grey hair! We had some good times and we always enjoyed Joe's stories while standing around the gas pumps. Joe looked after us young guys and I will always remember him fondly. My prayers to you and your family.
Mitch Haunn
My heart is sadden today with the loss of one my former colleagues and friend. I send you my prayers and thoughts during this time of bereavement. May God comfort you and fill this void with his presence.
Tommy Griffin
Tanya and family, so sorry to hear of the loss of Joe. I'm sure all of you are feeling so lost at this time. My GOD give you peace and comfort at this difficult time. Susan and Louis Childrey
Susan Childrey
we are so sorry for your loss.we always looked forward to seeing joe and the family at bluegrass shows,cookouts and galax every year.it just wont be the same without friends like joe.so sorry again!
russell&iris thornton&katie griffin
Tanya, I am in shock to hear the passing of Joe. My thoughts,prayers, tears and love are with you during these most difficult times. He was such a great man and is in peace now, loving God the way he has always done. God bless you and your family down this rough road. Love you. Pat Fargis
Pat Fargis
My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of Mr. Harris' family members and his friends. May God give you all strength during this tragedy. I am so sorry for his untimely death. He had a huge impact on my life and I will never forget him.
Jessica
To the Harris family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Your family has been so kind to mine when some of us were neighbors. Thank you for those memories and I will cherish your family in my prayers and thoughts. Lifting you all up in prayer today and always. Love, the Doughertys/Hills
Noel (Dougherty) Hill
Tanys and Family, I am so sorry for your sudden and heartbreaking loss. May the love of God and the love of family and friends sustain you at the most difficult time.
Debbie Finney
Tanya and family,So sorry for your loss. Joe will continue to live through the memories created in the lives that he touched. Hold on to those for your strength. Keeping you all in thought and prayer. Rest in Peace my friend.
Larry Rorrer
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.... Gene and Janice
Janice Coen
We were so sorry to hear about Joe. He was an important part of my childhood days, as I spent my summers with Joe, Bud, Mary, and Emma. Joe became really good man. he will be missed by all. our thoughts and prayers are with the family Bob & Pam Sanders Bernville, PA
Bob Sanders
Tanya and Family, We are so sorry to hear about Joe's accident, it was such a shock.You all are in our prayers. We know Joe is in a better place with our Lord. I guess God needed a very special Angel because it seems that God takes the best. I know what you are going through, but just hold on to those great memories and I know you have a lot of them, and they will get you through the hard times. Joe will always be watching over you. when the wind blowes and the leaves fall, when a flower blooms, Joe will be there with you, because he loved you and his children, and his Church. God Bless you all, We Love you all. Robert and Carol Rackley
Carol and Robert Rackley
Tanya and family i'm very sorry for your loss. Joe will be missed by all of us here in Galax. If there is anything that we can do please call anytime. My number 276-237-7905. We will have you all in our prayers.
Fred Bobbitt
Tanya & Family- While I never got to work with Joe, I was able to meet him after being assigned to Rockingham County after his retirement. He was special since we shared the same last name. I wish each of you much strength and peace during this difficult time! He will be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Jennifer Harris
Jennifer Harris
To all the family of Joe, My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May you find comfort in your good memories. Joe and I were 2 years apart. When my Mom, Flo brought us to Grannies, we were back and forth between is parents and Grannies. We played a lot at the park on third ave. in Danville. Bless you all in this difficult time. Sally Sanders Dameron
Sally Sanders Dameron
Sending my sincere thoughts and prayers to your family. May God's loving arms embrace and give you some comfort during this time of bereavement. I only met Joe one time, but I've heard a lot about your family from my friend and your's Judy Mathews. God Bless!
Mary H McCall
Tanya, Chris and Family: We are so saddened with the untimely passing of Joe. As we travel down life's highway all we can hope for is to make memories for the people we leave behind when god calls us home. Joe sure did this with everyone who knew him. We have fond memories of Joe in Galax and all the good times we had. He will be greatly missed by his friends. The entire family has our sincere sympathy during this trying time.... Ed Poe & Iris Tucker
Edward Poe
Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe's family during this time. He will be missed. From the staff of Dafford Funeral Home, Dunn & Angier, NC.
Dallas Dafford
Tanya and Family, we are so very sorry for your loss and our hearts ache for you. Joe was a great guy and will be missed, it was a honor to have known him. May memories you hold precious bring comfort, may God bless and surround you in His love and peace now and through the days ahead. Our love and prayers are with you.
David and Dale Roach
Tanya: We were deeply saddened and shocked upon learning of Joe's passing. I remember the good times we had while working together in Richmond Co. Many of the people he touched while here have called and talked with me. He will be truly missed. May God bless you. Bill & Linda Bayless
Bill Bayless
Matthew and I are so sorry for your loss. In the coming days, my hope is that family,friends and your church will give you comfort as you grieve the passing of such a fine man.
jane fisher
Tanya & Family: I was saddened to hear of your sudden loss. I am a sales representative for Matthews. I did not see Joe often, but knew him to be a hard worker and a likeable driver. I can assure you that he will be missed by his co-workers and our customers. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Alan Mulligan
Alan Mulligan
Tanya and Family,please accept my deepest sympathy, he was a fine man. Sheila.
Sheila Stewart
To The Harris Family, We were so sorry to hear about Mr. Harris passing away. We here at Rockwell Casket Company send our thoughts and prayers to the family. He was an amazing man. Rockwell Casket Company
Nancy Whaley
I am sorry to hear of your loss. I knew Joe from him delivering to us here in Roanoke. We became friends and I enjoyed our talks when he came by. I will truly miss him and his presence. Ron
Ron Ayles
Leave A Condolence Below For The Family Of Joseph "Joe" Maitland Harris:Fill out the form below and Fair Funeral Home will forward this message to the deceased's family and post it on our website. All condolences are reviewed for content before being posted live.
Born: Sunday Apr 15, 1951
