DATE: Thursday, July 3, 1997                TAG: 9707030591

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   36 lines

GILBERT L. HARRIS SR.

Gilbert Lawrence Harris Sr., born July 8, 1923, of the 1000 block of Villa Circle, went home to rest in the Lord June 30, 1997. He passed away in his residence surrounded by members of his loving family.

Gilbert was the son of the late Luther Harris and the late Mary Lou Harris Smith. He was also predeceased by a brother, Leon Harris; a sister, Cora Lee H. Skinner; and three infant children.

Gilbert was born in Norfolk and attended Norfolk Public Schools. He also completed law studies with La Salle Extension University. He was retired from Grand Union-Colonial Stores and he was a member of St. John A.M.E. Church, Bute Street, and its men's usher board and the Baber Johnson Sunday School Class. Gilbert was a loving husband and devout Christian who, with his wife, raised his family to revere God.

Gilbert leaves to mourn his wife, Rosa Combs Harris; four sons, Lawrence G. Harris and wife, Consevella of Norfolk, Gilbert L. Harris Jr. and wife, Blanche of Virginia Beach, Alphonso T. Harris of Norfolk, Curtis L. Harris and wife, Sheila of Alexandria, Va.; four daughters, Marie Harris Harrell of Norfolk, Rita H. Keels and husband, Alvin of Chesapeake, Gwendolyn Harris-Seawood and husband, Calvin of Norfolk, Mary H. Miller and husband, Anthony of Virginia Beach; two brothers, Leonard L. Harris of Norfolk, Maurice A. Harris of Fort Washington, Md.; 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. John A.M.E. Church, 515 Bute St., Norfolk, by the Rev. I.W. Knight. Burial will follow in Roosevelt Memorial Cemetery. Carlos A. Howard Funeral Home, Norfolk, is handling arrangements. The remains will be ready for viewing Friday at 3 p.m. The remains will be taken to the church at 9 a.m. Saturday. The family will assemble at the residence for the procession at 10 a.m. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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