Obituary of Lester L. Harris

Lester L. Harris son of the late James Lewis Harris and Mary Lee Thomas was born August 19, 1928 in Rowlandsville, Maryland.  He was one of seven siblings: Thomas (Buzz), Cushman, George, Harold, Elizabeth (Liddy) and Beatrice (Beaz). His mother Mary went home to be with the Lord when Lester was an infant but GOD sent two loving angels Helen and Ernest Alexander who loved and raised him as their own.  Lester loved them dearly.

Lester relocated from Maryland after landing a job with Luckens Steel in Coatesville, Pa .Then he met the love of his life Mary Elizabeth Webster. They fell in love and were united in Holy Matrimony on August 19, 1948. They decided to buy a home at 516 New Street in Oxford, Pa. where they raised their four beautiful children: Alvin (Butch), Pattie, Barbara and Cheryl and resided for over 60 years.  

Lester joined the Second Presbyterian now Shiloh Presbyterian where his wife was already a member. He loved being an usher and serving God wherever he was needed. He really enjoyed bringing his mower up to cut the church lawn or removing the snow.  

Lester Harris loved to look sharp and liked his things coordinated and stylish. He loved his rings and jewelry and always wore a hat.  When the “Gerry Curl came out Les had to get one. It really looked good on him. He took great pride in his appearance.

Lester was an avid hunter and loved to go fishing. He raised his own beagle hunting dogs and along with other types of animals. He always had a dog as his loyal companion until his health began to fail.

 He loved to travel with his wife Betty. He enjoyed road trips to Texas by car and loved to travel by plane and go on cruises. He loved family event and going to the beach. Every year he and his brothers would go to the Indianapolis 500.   After retiring from Lucken Steel after 40 years of service he had plenty of places he wanted to see.

When he was 33 years old he bought a chance at the local fair for $1.00. He won a 1930 Model A Ford. That became his pride and joy. Les wanted a place to keep his Model A car so he decided to have a garage built across the street from his home.  It became much more than a garage. It was place he and his brothers and friends could hang out together and share stories.  The local police and fireman would stop by the garage and visit for a while. One of his buddies at the Police station got him interested in making walking canes. He got really good at it and made many beautiful canes that he shared with others. It became a fix-it shop for the neighborhood children who needed their bicycle repaired. Now he could hang his prize deer head on the wall.. Some friends and family called him “Jitterbug” or “Bug and his CB radio name was” The Dog Catcher”. He would communicate with people all over from his CB.  The garage was a very warm and inviting place that everyone enjoyed

Lester became blessed over the years with ten grandchildren and 16 greats whom he loved. He dearly loved his children but there was no greater love in his life then his wife Betty of 69 ½ years.  Even when both of their health began to fail you could still see and feel that special love and bond between them.

Rest on my loving husband, our daddy and pop pop. We love you and will see you again one day. Thanks for all the beautiful memories. We will forever cherish them.

Your loving wife Mary “Betty” Harris,  brother Cushman Harris,  children: Alvin (Butch) Harris Sr, (Millie), Patricia Williams (Alonzo) Barbara Temple, Cherly Robinson, Grandchildren: Cristina Lewis, Alvin Harris(Brenda), Solomon Harris (Maria), Marissah Temple, Alonso Williams Jr. Trevor Williams (Toia), Darnell Harris, Kirstin Robinson, Tara Robinson and Christopher Robinson. Great Grands; Judah Gentry, Marquis Williams, Beautiful Williams, Prince Wiliams, Kal-El Williams, Trenton Williams, Nymere Robinson, Sincere Milbourne, Lyric Williams, Sarina Williams, Kylah Temple, Samra Lewis, Zahrea Lewis, Psalms Harris, Isabell Harris, Brianna Bolden.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Ernest Alexander: his brothers Thomas Harris, Elizabeth Stewart, Beatrice Harris, George Harris, Pauline Harris, Harold Harris, sister-in-laws Anna M. Lee (Oliver), Carrie Webster, Sarah Webster.