Deacon Ira Lee Harris

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies

and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be

able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we

ourselves are comforted by God.

~ II Corinthians 1: 3-4

Deacon Ira Lee Harris was born on Thursday, November 28th, 1957, in Southampton, New York, to the late Hilton Harris Sr. and Carrie Harris. His father later married Thelma Brown, who, along with Hilton, lovingly helped raise Ira and his siblings.

On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, Ira answered God’s call and entered into eternal rest while hospitalized at ECU Health in Greenville, North Carolina. His final days were spent surrounded by the love and support of his family.

Ira was educated in the Bridgehampton Schools. After graduation, he began his working years in customer service at the IGA and Agway in Bridgehampton, New York.

At an early age, Ira accepted Christ and joined the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton, where he was ordained as a deacon under the leadership of Rev. Henry Faison, Jr., in 1984. Deacon Harris faithfully served his church, praising the Lord in song. When the H. Faison Ensemble was formed in the early 1980s, he was elected its first president. He also sang in the senior choir and male chorus and served in many other ministries while at FBC. A devoted servant of God, he was well respected and loved by his church family and community.

Ira was a man of many talents. Neat, orderly, and loving to cook, he presented himself to the world as a sharp, well-groomed gentleman with a beautiful smile. Anyone who spent time in the Harris household knew the iron was always ready—proof of his care and attention to detail.

He met the love of his life, Joyce O. Person, and they were joined in holy matrimony on November 29th, 1986. In the early 1990s, Ira and Joyce purchased a home in North Carolina. When his health began to decline, the family relocated to North Carolina with their daughter, Brittany, where they built a home rooted in faith, over owing with love, laughter, and joy. Ira embraced life fully—radiating humor, warmth, and generosity wherever he went.

In their new community, the family joined the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church and were blessed with neighbors who became like family—Ernest and Ora Jenkins. Ora, affectionately known as “Teacher,” cared for Brittany as her nanny, and the Jenkins family remained lifelong friends.

Ira also found purpose in serving the community through Northampton County Schools, beginning as a volunteer and later working as a dedicated bus monitor at Seaboard-Coates Elementary School. He took great pride in his role, supporting staff and caring for students with the same kindness and warmth he extended to everyone he met.

Deacon Harris was known for his outgoing personality, deep love for the Lord, and willingness to help anyone in need. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His family was his greatest joy, and his most cherished roles were being a husband, a father, and “Papa” to his beloved grandchildren, Ja’Kiayah and Ja’Bron.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hilton and Carrie Harris; his beloved mother Thelma; his sister, Barbara Ann Hemby; three brothers, Michael, Timothy, and Delvin; his brother-in-law, Allen R. Person, and his wife, Delores; and his sister-in-law, LaRosa Hemby.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 38 years, Joyce Harris; his daughter, Brittany Harris of Roanoke Rapids; two grandchildren he lovingly reared, Ja’Kiayah and Ja’Bron Jordan; his brothers: Cordis Hemby (Dorothy) of Raleigh, North Carolina; William Hemby (Virginia) of West Haven, Connecticut; Hilton Harris Jr. of Edwards, North Carolina; Murrary Harris of Riverhead, New York; and Duke Harris of High Point, North Carolina; two brothers-in-law: Jerry C. Person (Debra) of Suffolk, Virginia, and Melvin Person (Vanessa) of Pendleton, North Carolina; one mother-in-law, Mrs. Alice M. Person of Boykins, Virginia; special cousins Georgette Williams, Galene Williams, Seretha Williams, and Percy Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Deacon Ira L. Harris will be deeply missed, but his legacy of faith, love, and service will live on through all who knew him.

Relatives and Friends are encouraged to visit Deacon Harris' tribute wall to share memories, extend condolences and to order floral tributes, as sentiments to the family. 

The Caring Team of T. L. Faison's Funeral Care, LLC is privileged to provide

"Professional Care, With Dignity & Integrity" 

to the family of Deacon Ira Lee Harris.

We ask that you unite with us in remembering the family in both thought and prayer. 

***TO ENSURE DESIRED FLORAL SELECTIONS AND A TIMELY DELIVERY,

PLEASE PLACE ORDERS THE DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRST VIEWING OF DECEASED***

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