The opportunity to show your respect for Karl Harris to the family was held Saturday, Oct. 2, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel in Demorest, with the funeral Sunday at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Demorest. Services were led by two dear friends of the family, the current pastor of Mt. Carmel, Josh Taylor and the former pastor of Mt. Carmel, Charles Holland. Music for the service was provided by Barbara James, Ricky Ward and the family of Tim and Joe Harris, Karl's first cousins.
Karl Harris, a local Master Craftsman of houses, lived all his life in a Harris-built house; except for four and a half short years living in a trailer as the newly wed husband of Linda Wilbanks. His father, the Rev. Henry Harris, set the standard of constructing one house at a time from the ground up with careful supervision of all other craftsmen with skills he lacked; plumbing, for example. The Harris father and son with a small crew of helpers were not fast but they were always in demand by those who wanted the best available. Karl worked for his father, Henry until Henry's health declined, then Karl's son, David worked for Karl until Karl's health declined. Both men believed that retirement was not part of God's plan for life on earth. David is now continuing the 74-year Harris tradition of building fine houses. Karl always used the word "houses" rather than the word "homes" because he said "only God could build a fine home."
Sept. 30, 2021, Karl's spirit went to the home prepared for him by Jesus the Son of God as promised in John 14:3. Three weeks ago, he stopped being able to walk. On Sept. 27, a low oxygen level required transportation to the ER, where they diagnosed a mass on his brain and a stroke on his left side. We moved him home under the care of Hospice and surrounded him with people who loved him.
The witnesses of his decline and final passing from the house and home he built included his wife of 56 years, Linda; his son, David Harris with his wife, Lisa and daughters, Rachel and Ashley; his son, Jonathan Harris with his wife, Amy and daughters, Jane and Sarah; his daughter, Karen Brack and her partner, Anita Horsley; his sisters, Susie Newsome with her husband, Gary, Louise Waters with her husband, Theron, and Betty Smith with her husband, Hugh; beloved family friend, Linda Church (the other Linda) and beloved family friend, Jan Willard, his faithful caretaker for the last one and a half years.
He was preceded to Heaven by his father and mother, Henry and Essie Dover Harris; and his nephew, Christopher Waters. He is survived by his nephews, Tony and Jason Newsome, with their wives and their children.
Karl's body was buried in Yonah Memorial Gardens while his Spirit will be with the Lord of his life.
Instead of flowers that fade so quickly, the family requests that Bibles be contributed in his memory through the local Gideon Society, P.O. Box 1855, Clarkesville, GA 30523, or to the Future Growth Fund of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 988 US-441 Business Hwy, Demorest, GA 30535.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, Demorest.