Roosevelt Harris Jr.

Life Reflections

With immense gratitude and love Roosevelt Harris Jr entered the world on January 21, 1947. He was the second born of Martha and Roosevelt Harris in Boydon, Virginia. He was blessed to enter the world by his great-great grandmother Sue who was a trained midwife. His nickname “June” was from his parents, which highlights his status as a Junior to his father Roosevelt. June was baptized at Rocky Mount Baptist Church in Skipwith,Virginia in a lake nearby the church. The family moved to Baltimore, Maryland when June was six years old. He then became a member of Central Baptist Church,

June worked for Nabisco Company as a truck driver for over two decades (37 years). He was the first Black truck driver for Nabisco in Baltimore and their second Black employee. June took great pride in his job and loved driving. He was a master of navigating the back roads all over Maryland. cleverly nicknamed the “human GPS.” While working at Nabisco he received several performance awards. He decided to perfect some of his skills by studying at Westside Skill Center acquiring a specialization in cementation. After retiring from Nabisco he began working at Cody Smith Bail Bonds for several years alongside his life partner Maude (Geraldine) .

Maude “Geraldine” Crowder and June first met as young children, but officially began dating when Geraldine was 14 years old. They were childhood sweethearts who humbly married on June 21, 1967 at home with a local pastor. Their relationship thrived off of family events, spade playing nights, laughter, dancing, unconditional love and storytelling of family history for 55 years! Their union led to the joyful birth of two children Derrick Harris (Monique) and Raycol Harris ( preceded him in death). They raised and cared for their granddaughter Raigan Downer who they adopted as their daughter.

June was an immense lover of world history and current events. He also enjoyed watching westerns as a favorite pastime and reading informative books. He found great joy in working on and owning classic cars. His two favorite cars were his red and black 1964 convertible Chevrolet Impala SS 409/425 and his 1968 metallic midnight blue Camaro. June was an informally trained mechanic by his uncles Ralph Lyons and the late Otis Lyon. June in his later years purchased the well remembered red, white and blue fully equipped van for his family and friends. They enjoyed many long distance trips throughout the East coast, and for his free-spirited moments he rode his motorcycle.

June possessed a calm, innovative, loving spirit that truly valued unity and peace. He wore many hats but the one he cherished the most was Pop-Pop. He truly loved and adored all children, but mainly spent time with his grandchildren teaching them the value of life and spoiling them. His legacy and spirit shall live on within them; Anthony Harris, Morgan Harris, Ashley Harris, Ramon Harris and his “Heartbeat” Demi Miller his great grandchild ( Raycol Harris grandchild). He frequently said that Demi revived his spirit and gave him strength to live. She truly was his pride and joy.

June's love will live on and through his four siblings Gracie Scott (Robert) Linda Stansbury (Gregory), Willie J. Harris and Mark Harris. His younger brother Marvin Harris preceded him in death. His loving in-laws Peggie Davis (Ronald precede him in death), Marcia McDowell (Charles), Stanley Crowder (Deneen), his God children Felicia Mayo (Jeffrey) and Walter Bryant (Anjanette), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts.

His final wish was for all generations in the family to remain unified and aware that iron strengthens iron. He spent some of his final days providing a wealth of family history. He was a walking talking library. ’ May we as a family use the information he has instilled in us to grow our family to its fullest potential. “A people without the knowledge of their past history and culture is like a tree without roots” Marcus Garvey

Roosevelt Harris Jr. planted a seed, watering it with love, fertilizing it with gentleness , pruning it for strength, to grow towards the son… the Son that we all must gaze upon to carry us through the journey of life.

“ I've faced many journeys, some good, some bad, none perfect and thankful that God has given me time for reflection and growth. If I leave this earth tomorrow I’m Good and want you to be Good with it also, I take full responsibility for my choices in life. God has blessed me with more days than I was worthy of …… “I’M GOOD “

TO: My Husband

June you were my partner, my lover, my life

It was truly an honor to be your wife,

You gave me joy when I was feeling blue

You even made me laugh, when I didn’t want to.

We thrived on unconditional love,

Tha kept us judgmental free.

Standing by your side was the only place I wanted to be

My heart will never set you free.

In my eyes I could never see any wrong,

imperfection just made us strong.

Which is why our relationship lasted so long

I am grateful to God for molding you just for me

And giving us life long memories.

Love you Forever , Maude

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/roosevelt-harris-jr/obituary/

Copy