Obituary for Franklin Purnell "Frankie" Harris Sr.
Franklin Purnell Harris, also known as “Frankie,” “Frank,” and “Shank,” was born on January 23, 1948 in Accomack County, Virginia. He was the beloved son of the late Frank and Emma Harris. He also had a sister Faye Harris Veney who preceded him in death.
Frank received his formal education in the Accomack County Public School system, graduating high school in 1966 from Mary N Smith High School. Afterwards, he attended Norfolk State College, now Norfolk State University.
After leaving Norfolk State, Frank returned home to Accomac and purchased a gas station. After selling the gas station, Frank relocated to Prince George’s County Maryland with his wife Mary Ann, where he lived until his death. Frank was employed by the University of the District of Columbia in the Security Office and later as Manager of the Warehouse. He retired from the University after 28 years of devoted service.
Frank met his wife, Mary Ann, in 1971 and they were united in holy matrimony in 1974. They shared 50 glorious years together, 47 of which they were married. They were very seldom without each other. They were known as one instead of two people, “Frank and Mary” or “Mary and Frank.” Frank was a true family man, he loved his wife, family, and friends intensely and unconditionally. He did not believe in in-laws; he thought of everyone as one big family. Frank would do anything for anyone no questions asked. He cherished and loved his wife, family, and friends to the end of time. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and much more. Frank was blessed with two sons, Frank, Jr. and Shawn. He was the father of one niece-daughter, Monique, and at least twenty others who considered him their “Pops.” Many of his friends considered him a brother for life. He had a personal relationship with each of his children, grandchildren, and his great-granddaughter.
Frank was an avid baseball fan. His favorite team was the Orioles until the Nationals moved back to DC in 2006 at which point, he became a Nationals’ fan. Frank’s favorite football team was the Redskins now the Washington Team.
On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, God in His infinite wisdom dispatched an angel to Frank to tell him, you fought a good fight, it’s now time for you to suffer no more and come home to be with God in your eternal resting place.
At an early age, Frank devoted his life to Christ and became a member of the Macedonia AME Church in Accomac, Virginia. When he relocated to Maryland, he joined the Hemingway Memorial AME Church, now located in District Heights, Maryland, with the Rev. Gerald Folsom, Senior Pastor.
Frank leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 47 years, Mary Ann; two sons, Frank, Jr. and Shawn (Nevar); a niece-daughter, Monique; twelve grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Shirley Harris Belsches of Lanham, MD; an aunt, Bonita Wise of Rahway, NJ; two sisters-in-law, Debbie Conquest of Melfa, VA and Linda Conquest of N.W. DC; a niece, Consuella Belsches; two nephews, Clifton Veney, Jr. and Darrell Conquest; two great-nieces; one great-nephew; four childhood friends, Eugene Giddens, Norman Custis, Diane Garris, and Betty Allen Reid; several devoted cousins; and a host of other relatives, life-long friends, and neighbors. All of whom will miss him dearly.
Lovingly submitted,
The Family
Frank received his formal education in the Accomack County Public School system, graduating high school in 1966 from Mary N Smith High School. Afterwards, he attended Norfolk State College, now Norfolk State University.
After leaving Norfolk State, Frank returned home to Accomac and purchased a gas station. After selling the gas station, Frank relocated to Prince George’s County Maryland with his wife Mary Ann, where he lived until his death. Frank was employed by the University of the District of Columbia in the Security Office and later as Manager of the Warehouse. He retired from the University after 28 years of devoted service.
Frank met his wife, Mary Ann, in 1971 and they were united in holy matrimony in 1974. They shared 50 glorious years together, 47 of which they were married. They were very seldom without each other. They were known as one instead of two people, “Frank and Mary” or “Mary and Frank.” Frank was a true family man, he loved his wife, family, and friends intensely and unconditionally. He did not believe in in-laws; he thought of everyone as one big family. Frank would do anything for anyone no questions asked. He cherished and loved his wife, family, and friends to the end of time. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and much more. Frank was blessed with two sons, Frank, Jr. and Shawn. He was the father of one niece-daughter, Monique, and at least twenty others who considered him their “Pops.” Many of his friends considered him a brother for life. He had a personal relationship with each of his children, grandchildren, and his great-granddaughter.
Frank was an avid baseball fan. His favorite team was the Orioles until the Nationals moved back to DC in 2006 at which point, he became a Nationals’ fan. Frank’s favorite football team was the Redskins now the Washington Team.
On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, God in His infinite wisdom dispatched an angel to Frank to tell him, you fought a good fight, it’s now time for you to suffer no more and come home to be with God in your eternal resting place.
At an early age, Frank devoted his life to Christ and became a member of the Macedonia AME Church in Accomac, Virginia. When he relocated to Maryland, he joined the Hemingway Memorial AME Church, now located in District Heights, Maryland, with the Rev. Gerald Folsom, Senior Pastor.
Frank leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 47 years, Mary Ann; two sons, Frank, Jr. and Shawn (Nevar); a niece-daughter, Monique; twelve grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Shirley Harris Belsches of Lanham, MD; an aunt, Bonita Wise of Rahway, NJ; two sisters-in-law, Debbie Conquest of Melfa, VA and Linda Conquest of N.W. DC; a niece, Consuella Belsches; two nephews, Clifton Veney, Jr. and Darrell Conquest; two great-nieces; one great-nephew; four childhood friends, Eugene Giddens, Norman Custis, Diane Garris, and Betty Allen Reid; several devoted cousins; and a host of other relatives, life-long friends, and neighbors. All of whom will miss him dearly.
Lovingly submitted,
The Family