On Saturday, March 8, 2014 as God was walking in his earthly garden, he noticed a beautiful flower that was fully bloomed. He reached down and picked John very carefully, for he wanted to replant him in a garden of rest beyond Jordan. It broke our hearts for him to prove to us, that God only takes the best.

John Lee Harris was born December 5, 1955 to the late Edward Leon & Christine Harris Franklin. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as a young boy at Columbia Baptist Church with the guidance of his mother. John attended Fluvanna County Public Schools. He was employed by Pepsi Cola Bottling of Charlottesville, VA. He loved hunting and fishing and would invite anyone to join him to see the nature of God's beauty. His spirit and loving smile shall forever be remembered.

John was ordained as a deacon at Columbia Baptist Church on June 9, 2004 under the leadership of the late Rev. David Johnson. During his growth as a deacon, Dea. Presley Bland and Dea. Ernest Bruce assisted him on his journey of leadership. Dea. John Harris loved doing the Lord's work even if it was just a smile or kind word to encourage someone along their way. He had the intelligent of a carpenter. There was no job he would not challenge at the church or his surroundings. John Harris not only served as a deacon, but as a trustee, Youth Dept, Finance Committee, Sunday School, and several other organization when needed. There was nothing in God's House that brother John would not do when asked. John's motto was: " Sacrifice". If God sacrificed His only son, so should I be willing to sacrifice.

John cherished the love of his wife, Docie Bowles for thirty-two years. With that union came two sons, John Edward (Susanne) Harris and Anthony Lee (Patria)Harris.

In addition to sons and daughters-n-law, he also leaves to cherish his memory: one grandchild that he loved, Damien; six sisters, Linda Mayo and Helen Franklin of Fork Union, VA, Lillian Mickens of Buckingham, VA, Dorothy (James) Lewis and Aretha (Alvin) Lewis of Cumberland, VA, Carolyn (James) Tinsley of Columbia, VA; eight brothers, Edward Franklin and Tony (Heather) Franklin of Charlottesville, VA, Herman (Karla) Franklin of Chase City, VA, William Franklin of Cumberland, VA, Steve Franklin of Tennessee, Bobby (Sue) Franklin of Goochland, VA, and George (Donna) Franklin and Robert Franklin both of Palmyra, VA; five aunts, Louise Harris Scott of Scottsville, VA, Isabelle Franklin Brown of Massachusetts, Carrie Franklin Wallace of Williamsburg, VA, Aunt Annie Belle Harris of Columbia, VA and Aunt Ollie Harris of Maryland. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Emma Johnson Bowles; four brothers-in-law, George (Alberta) Bowles, Hearld (Dorothy) Bowles, Floyd and Frankie Bowles; four sisters-In-law, Helen (Ivar) Dowell, Kathleen Bowles, Theresa (Prince) Opie, and Kimberly Bowles; a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. A lover of dogs, John also leaves his beloved dog, Sam.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 14, 2014 at Columbia Baptist Church 116 Rivanna Columbia, VA 23038. A service and celebration of life will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Fluvanna County High School, 1918 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy Palmyra, Virginia 22963 with the Rev. Philip Carter, officiating. Interment will follow in the Columbia Baptist Church Cemetery.