Noel Kent Harris

September 9, 1960 - January 4, 2018

Noel Kent Harris departed this earthly life on Thursday, January 4, 2018, at the Providence Health Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on September 9, 1960, he was the oldest of three children born to Elsie Mae Porter White and the late Calvin Earl Harris. In August of 1968, the Harris family moved to Columbia, where he continued his education in Richland County School District Two. He graduated from Spring Valley High School in the Class of 1978. He served his country in the United States Army and was later employed as a truck driver with the Thomas and Howard Company. At a young age, Noel played the piano, organ, and the saxophone; thus began his journey as a lifelong musician, allowing him to perform on the East Coast with the renowned “Newcomers” of the House of Prayer Church to All Nations in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and later he played keyboards, the saxophone and sang in several bands, including: Ricky and the Codas; The Midnight Blues; Soul Dynamics; Soul Explosion; First Chance; Every Living Soul; and Amtrakk Band. His talents also allowed him to perform in Japan on the U.S.S. O’Brien. In his spare time, he enjoyed teaching and sharing his God-given talents with other protegees: Ti’Erre Harris; Alphonso Gary; and Azaiah Jones. His favorite passions were sharing his big heart of love, listening to music, family gatherings (especially Thanksgiving); eating wild game (deer, possum, rabbit, coon); fishing; playing with granddaughter (Nyla Joi); discussing politics with his mother (Elsie White and Granny-Mama Aliece Moore); and watching sports (football: Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers; basketball: Cleveland Cavaliers; baseball: St. Louis Cardinals). Noel accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost in February of 2009. For several years, he was a member of Power of Change Christian Church in Cahokia, Illinois, and later became a member of Jones Memorial AME Zion Church, where he remained faithful and continued to trust God as his healer. He was a genuine, big-hearted, gregarious, caring, and loving spirit. He had a memory like an elephant, and he raised the bar for healthcare in the nursing home, which resulted in better quality of service. He played the role of chaplain, where he ministered through song and the Word to staff and to residents. He was elected Residential Council President of the White Oak Nursing Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. He leaves to cherish precious memories his mother, Elsie Mae Porter (Rev. Dr. Reid R., Jr.) White; his sister: Alicia Colette Harris; his brother, Lexington “Lex” Earl Harris; a special niece, Phaedra Harris-Smith; his sweetheart, trophy, and caregiver Darlene Harris Moore; stepmother, Rev. Jacqueline Carter-Harris; special children : LaDrena Henderson, E. Jelani Henderson, and Justin Whitfield; a granddaughter, Nyla Joi Westbrook; a grandson: Azaiah Jones; half-brothers and sisters: Mitchell (Eva) Burney, Camille Frierson, Kimberly White; stepbrothers and sisters: Reid R. White, III, Renee (Darren) Allen, Kendra Bailey, Rev. Cory Rustin, Kimberly (Lonnie) Morrow; special friends/brothers: Mack Hollis, Alex Isaac, and Antoine Young; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.