Columbus "Chick" Harris

Columbus “Mr. Chick” Harris, age 81, was rewarded with entrance into his Heavenly home with his Father for a life well-lived. He was born on May 10, 1944, in Lancaster, South Carolina, to Mildred Jackson Harris and Haskell Harris.

Chick accepted Christ at an early age when he joined Zion Pilgrim Baptist Church.

He graduated from Barr Street High School, where he excelled as an honor student in academics and stood out as a star basketball and football player, graduating at the top of his class in 1962. He also holds the school’s long-standing record of scoring over 1,000 points in basketball.

After high school, Chick attended Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina, for one year before joining the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for four years. Following his military service, he relocated to the Bronx, New York, where he met a South Carolina native and neighbor from Heath Springs, Carolyn Rutledge. The two became inseparable. They married on November 28, 1965, and briefly lived in Washington, D.C., before returning to the Bronx to build their life together. Their loving union of 56 years was blessed with two children—daughter Angela and son Brian—who later blessed him with four grandchildren he adored with that special “Poppa Chick” love, and they certainly adored him in return.

Chick retired from the New York City Transit Authority after 25 years of dedicated service and returned home to Lancaster, South Carolina. To meet Mr. Chick was to meet a meticulous, polished, and respectable man—a natural leader and the ultimate provider to his immediate family, extended family, and friends. His love, support, and steady presence were his signature gifts.

After returning home, he worked with the Lancaster County School District as an educator and Assistant Basketball Coach. He enjoyed many hobbies, including yard work, watching basketball and football, cheering for his Dallas Cowboys, and playfully talking trash about the New York Knicks. He also became a mentor for young men through the Adopt-a-Leader Program and remained a faithful member of Zion Pilgrim Baptist Church. A true music lover—especially of “The Blues”—Chick enjoyed eating chicken and dumplings, egg custard, and running a Boston while playing Bid Whist.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Jackson Harris and Haskell Harris; brothers, Clinton Harris and Ted Harris; sister Frances Shannon; and his beloved wife, Carolyn Harris.

Chick leaves to cherish his memory: daughter Angela Joyner (Shawn) of New Castle, Delaware; son Brian Keith Harris (Aureline) of Accokeek, Maryland; two sisters, Dorothy Tinsley of Temple Hills, Maryland and Marcine Mackey of Landover, Maryland; grandchildren Kambria Simmons, Marcellous Joyner, Johnathan Harris, and Liam Harris; friends William Massey, Joe Wade, Charles Watson, Bruce Frost, and Dave Burton; a special nephew Clinton Duncan; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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