Robert Edward Harris
June 13, 1923 ~ May 14, 2007
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
The Rev. Robert E. Harris, 83, of Asheville, NC departed this life suddenly, Monday, May 14, 2007, at his life-long residence.
A native of Buncombe Co., Rev. Harris was born on June 13, 1923, and was a son of the late Brad and Mary Edith Wright Harris. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Bill Harris, and Betty Harris Collins.
He pastored The Chapel in Asheville for 57 years. He also operated a drive-in church in an open air shopping center for 47 years.
Rev. Harris could also be heard on the radio during the show, “Dial-A-Prayer,” which was broadcast in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee for over 40 years. In print, Rev. Harris’ “The Story of Jesus Monthly Bulletin” ran for 45 years. He also founded the Robert E. Harris Biblical Museum in Asheville, which has been in existence for over 40 years, and founded the Asheville Alzheimer’s Care Center and operated it for 30 years.
Rev. Harris is survived by his nieces, Joanne Agnus Parker, Mary Jeanette Oliver, Virginia Rose Frabizio, Bonita Clare Patton, and Elizabeth Ann Huffman; and nephew, Bradley Thomas Harris.
A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. with the Revs. Weldon Ramsey and Kenny Gillum officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
His family will receive friends 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
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Bob’s Family, Some time ago I visited Bob’s Church on his Birthday. He introduced me as the person who had known him longer than anyone else in the group that day, over 70 plus years. Growing up in the same area I knew Bob, Bill, and Betty. Bob was a unique person in many ways and will be missed. I hold you in my thoughts and prayers and just hope in some small way it helps to know others do care. Mary
REV.HARRIS WAS A GREAT MAN AND HE WAS VERY AT HIS WORK.I REMEMBER THE DAY THEY HAD SPECIAL DINNER AT A LOCAL NURSING HOME AND HE / MYSELF AND GRANDMOTHER ALONG WITH MY FATHER AND WE ATE AND HE SAID GRACE.I ALWAYS GOT GOSEE HIM AY YHE DRIVE-IN AT WESTGATE WITH MY GRANDMOTHER.I WAS BUT ONLY TEEN GE KID THEN.MY DAD HIM WERE FRIENDS.I THANK GOD IS WITH JESUS AND HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY THOSE LEFT BEHIND AS ONE AND MAY BE SOON WE ARE GOING TO THEM .MAY GOD COMFORT THE FAMILY AT THIS HOUR AND TIME.
SHARON WOODY
ASHEVILLE,NC
REV.HARRIS WAS A GREAT MAN AND HE WAS VERY AT HIS WORK.I REMEMBER THE DAY THEY HAD SPECIAL DINNER AT A LOCAL NURSING HOME AND HE / MYSELF AND GRANDMOTHER ALONG WITH MY FATHER AND WE ATE AND HE SAID GRACE.I ALWAYS GOT GOSEE HIM AY YHE DRIVE-IN AT WESTGATE WITH MY GRANDMOTHER.I WAS BUT ONLY TEEN GE KID THEN.MY DAD HIM WERE FRIENDS.I THANK GOD IS WITH JESUS AND HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY THOSE LEFT BEHIND AS ONE AND MAY BE SOON WE ARE GOING TO THEM .MAY GOD COMFORT THE FAMILY AT THIS HOUR AND TIME.
SHARON WOODY
ASHEVILLE,NC
We will miss listening to Bro. Bob Harris on WJKV on our way to work each morning. Bro. Harris always had just the right message for the day.
It has been a joy to have known Brother Harris. We will miss him dearly. There’s very few preacher left I feel that is as dedicated as he was.The world has lost a great man.
We appreciated knowing Rev. Harris and will always remember his kindness in sharing his recordings for our own daily telephone devotions for shut ins. He was truly God’s messenger.
Pastor Harris always had the perfect message whenever I would see his devotional on television. He was a loyal and faithful servant to his God. The Almighty has a special place for those who love horses. He has ridden over to that glorious place we all strive to see one day.
Grace and Peace to all his family and friends.
I grew up with my parents listening to night watch on the radio and Robert Harris was the night watch pastor. I remember dad saying the pastor used to come into the store he operated and what a true christian gentleman he was. Dad had only a few pastors he had great respect for and Mr. Harris was one of them. In his later years, dad made the comment that he would like for Mr. Harris to preach his funeral when that time came. Dad passed away on April 10th this year at age 88. As we made funeral plans, Mr. Harris name came up as the pastor we wanted, but were unsure if he was able to do the service, or even if he would remember dad. Mr. Harris was glad to do the service and I had a wonderful converstation with him when he visited the family prior to the day of the funeral. April 13 was a very cool day, but Pastor Harris did a wonderful funeral service. He was such comfort to the family and we appreciate him so much. He was faithful to the end and yes a true man of God and a gentleman. May God bless his family and Provide Pastor Harris with a mansion in glory where he can continue to praise our creator.
We are sorry for your loss. He was a special man who touched many lives. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. God bless you.
…for the Lord shall be thine
everlasting light, and the days
of thy mourning shall be ended.
Isaiah 60:20
May you remember always
that, for every sorrow,
there is comfort…
for every sadness,
there is healing…
for each loss–
the promise of new life.
Uncle Bob made quite an impression on my family’s view of whats good in life. From an early age,he would take us kids with him to different places in NC, SC and Tenn. as he shared the Gosple. Early memories of the Westgate drive in church services gave people from all walks of life a front row seat to hear the gosple.
I remember our visits to his home and church. All through my life he was the angel in the background. I will always be proud to have been part of his family and will never forget that he was always there for us.
Uncle Bob, I will miss you, but its your time now. God must be pleased.
Virginia (Harris)Frabizio
Oakhurst, NJ )7755
Dear Harris Family,
Rev. Harris was a man of God whose influence will be felt for years to come. Only in eternity will his witness to Christ and ministry for Christ be fully known. He is with our Savior now, his labors over, his reward secured! May God grant to each of you His comfort and grace in these days!
I have known Bob Harris all my life, and was the first baby born in Beaverdam Freewill Baptist Church, which he helped establish. He was always interested in the people in the Beaverdam Community at Candler. He was a great Christian leader and very well known.
Frankie and Clyde Davis
Reverend Harris found such joy in his faith and he shared that joy and faith with everyone he met. The last time I saw him was the Friday before he passed on and he was telling me one of his jokes. He always made me smile.
He has been on the road to Heaven all of his life and this is a new beginning for him. I’ll miss him but I know he is singing with the angels now.
You will be missed.
Our condolences to the family. We first met Rev.Harris at an I-26 Rest area as we came to Canton with purchase of WPTL in 1978. We enjoyed many times seeing Brother Harris and his wonderful One-Eyed-Jack Quarter Horse, sharing the tradition of the Circuit Rider and the message of Christ. Rev. Harris also visited WPTL on several occassions. He was a treasure that will be missed. Bill & Linda Reck, Owners, WPTL Canton.
Our lives will be much emptier now that our ‘Preacher Bob’ is not with us. I have no memory of him not being here…from our childhood through adulthood always there to help our family in hard times as well as good ones…the one constant in our lives forever strong, forever faithful and always living the example he preached. We will miss him and always love him.
Robert Harris was a wonderful man, and a good friend to all.
I have known Rev. Harris for over 50 years. He has certainly been a blessing to me and my family. He was a wonderful Christian man and will be greatly missed, but I know he is in Heaven with Jesus. My God comfort the family. Love, Rosa Brigman
I have known Rev. Harris for over 50 years. He has certainly been a blessing to me and my family. He was a wonderful Christian man and will be greatly missed, but I know he is in Heaven with Jesus. May God comfort the family. Love, Rosa Brigman
I have known Rev. Harris for over 50 years. He has certainly been a blessing to me and my family. He was a wonderful Christian man and will be greatly missed, but I know he is in Heaven with Jesus. May God comfort the family. Love, Rosa Brigman
My Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family. Rev. Robert Harris was a ‘Man of God. And ‘Inspiration and a ‘Blessing. His ‘Kind and ‘Encouraging words were so ‘Sincere. He is with Jesus now and loved ones who have gone on and all will be reunited once more to serve our ‘Precious Jesus. ‘May God Bless. Barbara & William Black
Our condolences to the family of Robert E Harris Robert will be missed by every one
Bruce & Hilda Curd
The world has lost one of its greatest religious leaders of all times. He always said he would never retire & he didn’t! He worked til Jesus came for him! We will all miss him very much! He lived a very exemplary life for everyone! Thank you Jesus that he touched all our lives!
Rev. Harris was a prince of a man and a great servant for the Lord Jesus! I will long remember him for his dedication and determination in sharing God’s love with whomever he met. I know that he and my Dad, Tom Lolley, shared many wonderful times together in ministry – especially at the Week of Christian Studies at Mars Hill College. I will always remember him as the ‘Circuit Riding Preacher’ and will cherish the memories of a life well lived. All of our lives that were touched by Rev. Harris have been blesed. Thank you God for this great servant and for the blessing that his life has been to all of that were blessed to know him. Selah!
My husband, the late Rev. Billy D. Hutson and I were aquainted with Rev. Harris for several years. I recall a wonderful trip we made together with him to Scott Co. Tennessee to find his parents burial place..Bro. Harris was a very humble, dedicated man of God..
We were blessed by knowing him..
May God bless his family always…
Sincerely,
Mrs. Billy D. Hutson
Bro. Harris was a true man of God.. He lived a Christian life that will continue to bless those who knew him…
May God bless and comfort his family…
Roger and Carolyn Carmany
Several years ago my family and I were traveling back to our home in Tenn.We stopped at the rest-area in the mountains of NC on I-40 west. From what I remember, brother Harris was setting on a horse in front of the welcome center and handing out tracks and witnessing to the travelers. I have now moved to NC where he has served for so many years in The Lord’s service. My prayers are with the family during this time but we will see him again very soon riding with The Lord’s army in heaven.
Our prayers go out to the Family of Rev. Harris. He was a wonderful man and we will miss him. It has been a pleasure to know him. May God Bless!
David and Jane Beeching
Rev.Harris was one true saint of God!! Ed Norton
Rev. Harris was a good man, I am thankful to have heard him at the drive in church, I have good memories.May God bless him and his loved ones.
I have enjoyed ‘The Story of Jesus’ for many years. I met Rev. Harris a number of years ago and am saddened to hear that he has died. I know though that he has finally reached his destination. Another ‘soldier has come home.’
I would just like to say thank you to a man who left me with a lifetime of memories. My Grandfather and myself would watch him on TV almost every Sunday morning, and even after he passed away I continued to watch every chance I got. Thank you and may God Bless you and your family in this time of loss.
I was very sad about hearing of the loss of such a wonderful man of God. He always spoke the truth and many people came to know God because of him. I remember his radio show and also he use to come preach at our work place in the ’80s. He is with the one he served now, but we will miss his greatly. Peggy Gaddis
Please accept my condolences. I remember Rev. Harris’s compassion as a young girl of 9 when he took me up to see my mom when she was in the hospital and no one else would let me.
I remember his strong , yet gentle hand holding mine as we went into her room..I will never forget that..He was a gentle man who not only showed but lived his love of God every day of his life.
Again, please accept my condolences.
Brenda
Keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers during the loss of Rev. Harris.
I have spent many an early morning with Rev. Harris on the TV….
About 7 years ago I finally got to meet him in person, at a restaurant in Newport, TN. of all places. He was a gentle, caring man and he will be missed.
God Bless him
Preacher,pastor,evangelist,teacher, biblical historian, communicator, disciple of Christ, follower of Christ, a person filled with care, compassion for people, frugal, witty,humble, and servant are just a few of the attributes of Rev. Robert E. Harris. His life and ministry will be like a beautiful sunset across these mountains he loved so much. The afterglow of his life will last a long, long time.
Gayle D. Brown
Friend of Robert E. Harris
brother harris , a trun man of god , never married but as paul , he loved to preach the gospel and really enjoyed riding his horse , dressing up [ circuit riding preacher man ] and hand out tracks , visiting with anyone who would listen. true saint has been called home ,
jimmy
I have known Mr. Harris for years as the circuit rider. For many years he would come to the Samaritan’s Place to see alot of good people for whom they thought they was no one in the world like him. He is a good man and will be greatly missed, but a great person for those who have already gone to heaven. He will be a prize for God!! He will be greatly missed!!!!
So sorry to hear of his death. I was thinking of him just the other day and wondering how he was. A wonderful Christian who was a true witness of his faith in Jesus Christ. He founded the church in which I grew up. I was 2 years old at the time. He always knew who I was even though it would be years between encounters. His reverence of God was always very evident.
We have known Robert for a long time and were priviliged to have served with him some doing music at the drive-in church. He was a great man of God and knew the Scriptures backwards and forwards. He has touched many lives out in the world where the ordinary church never reaches the sinner. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and Asheville Area for this great loss. He is enjoying Heaven today and looking for all of us.
Will be missed, a great friend who was always there for everyone.
I cannot begin to express how profoundly saddend I am by the loss of the great Robert E Harris
Mary Rose Hagood
Bro. Harris was an original! He was a singularly-focused preacher and man of God whose unique ministry will be missed. I heard him on the radio in the 70s when I lived in WNC, then later my family and I went to the mission field. I crossed paths with him again, over 30 years later at the Welcome Center on I-40 when he was passing out tracts and greeting visitors. God bless and comfort the family, and strengthen us all with the hope of Heaven. Steve Lytle
My family and Bobs family grew up together.He will be greatly missed.
Sorry to hear about Rev.Harris he was my Pastor for 17 years. And a family friend my whole life,he was a great man and will be missed. He is on a journey he has waited for a long time. My condolence to the family.
John an Kay Richardson
The Circuit Riding Preacher has ridden off to the sunset and entered that Heavenly Home where there is no night. Blessings and peace, Betty Nelon Rhodes
Itis hard to put into words how much this man impacted my life. I was working on 9 stepdown at Mission St. Joes Hospital when he was once hospitalized. I have never felt such a warmness and peace with anyone my whole life. Just being in his presense just made me smile. I told him who my grandmother was Martha Maltry and he told me all about my family and some things I did not even know about. I know I will miss him but Thank God He is celebrating in the Heaven with Jesus.
I have known Mr Harris all of my life having grown up just down the street from him. He was a blessing to me so many times in my life. He always took time to talk to you when you seen him out. As a little girl I always enjoyed the summer Bible schools at his church. He will surely be missed. Heaven gained a special one on Monday. We will miss you Bro. Harris and I truly did love you. Lynda Austin Hensley
Brother Harris will surley be missed, When ever I would meet him out in public he was always codial and kind spirited to be with. He was a true blessing to all and had a great desire to serve the Lord and share what God was doing for Him. Many years ago he had a late night radio program which would bless me and lift me up and bring conviction to my soul that would give me a desire to serve the Lord. I will surely miss you Brother Harris.
Brother Harris, the circuit riding preacher, used to be on WBIR TV in Knoxville when the station was signing off late at night. I just happened to be thinking about how much we enjoyed his devotionals, and started searching the web for videos of him. Sadly, I couldn’t find any videos but rather read of his passing. I never met him, but feel he did a great work. I know he touched many hearts through the nightly sign offs. I wish the series was available on dvd or something. My very belated condolences to the family.
I grew up in Bob’s church along with the Creasmans,Vivian ,Dot ,Lillian and Joan . Its was a enjoyable. childhood on Hi Alta .We played on top of the hill .Which Bob owned .I still enjoy going to HiAlta and visiting ?
Reading all these testimonials, nothing to add that has not been said. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work beside Pastor Harris by leading the music on numerous occasions at the Asheville Drive In Church on Patton Ave. He loved the Word and loved to preach the Word. His faithful influence in WNC and beyond will be felt for many generations. Thank you, Robert Harris, for giving to the Lord, for I am a life that was changed.
Had me do his typing.. Reference to the Bible.
A Wonderful Person of God..
He is Missed..I still,Dial a Prayer..R.I.P.