Dr. Rayford L. Harris, Sr., of Richmond, passed peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning, January 9, 2022, at 97 years old. He was born in Kershaw (Stonesboro), South Carolina to Chalmers and Estella Cunningham Harris on October 24, 1924 and was the oldest of nine children. Rayford accepted his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at an early age and upon moving to Richmond, became a member of Second Baptist Church in the West End, where he was a long-serving Deacon. Through it all, Dr. Harris's life was grounded in his faith and family. After attending schools in Kershaw, Rayford graduated from Boylan-Haven Mather Academy in Camden, South Carolina. His senior year and graduation were delayed due to his service in the Navy during World War II. After being honorably discharged with a rank of Seaman First Class, he returned home for graduation and then matriculated at Hampton Institute, now University, where he met his wonderful wife, Frances (Vonnie) Richardson. Rayford graduated in 1952 with a degree in what was widely known as Industrial Arts and also received an Army Commission as a Second Lieutenant specializing in anti-aircraft artillery. Rayford married his college sweetheart, Frances, in 1952 and they moved to Richmond to start their teaching careers and family. Dr. Harris’ professional career had two stops. He taught “shop” in Richmond Public Schools at Blackwell Junior High School. There, his students did such wonderful work that it was displayed in several store fronts on Hull Street. He shared that the students were so good that the principal at Maggie Walker High School tried to “sneak him away” from Blackwell. In 1959, Virginia State College called and Dr. Harris answered. During his tenure there, the Industrial Arts & Technical Education Teacher Training program blossomed. He was quite proud of all of the machinery and tools that were the best of the best. Much of that equipment was procured as a result of his desire to upgrade the shop as it moved to a larger facility. He also bragged that Virginia State turned out more teachers (and better teachers) than its land grant counterpart Virginia Tech. His graduates became stellar in a vast array of fields including military, education, auto industry, electronics, carpentry, commerce, professional sports, etc. Dr. Harris did not want to snub any of his students, but he was quite happy to tell anyone about his Four Star General, Dennis Via, and the Young brothers, Sam and Posey. He was ecstatic that upon his retirement from Virginia State, one of his majors, Posey Young, was hired to continue the program’s legacy. Following his retirement, he was awarded his Doctor of Humane Letters and Professor Emeritus status. As a moderate Republican, Dr. Harris was an officer and member of the Virginia Republican Party and the Richmond Chapter. He was also a mainstay of the Black Republican organizations in Richmond, the State, and the Country, and he never missed an opportunity to vote. He always wanted to be certain that African Americans had a seat at the Republican table when discussions were had and decisions were being made. He often provided recommendations to Governors and occasionally the White House for appointments of Black citizens to various Boards, Commissions, Committees, Secretaries, and Departments/Agencies. He was often sought out to be a sounding board and a wise counsel on many Republican issues and agendas. His promotion of civil rights was enabling and defined his professional and personal life. He was descended from his great-grandmother who, in spite of beginning life on a plantation in South Carolina, managed to own a store, have over 200 acres of land, was a midwife who delivered over 200 Black and White babies without losing a mother or a baby, and managed to set a firm direction for education and self-dependency for her family. Dr. Harris continued to emphasize education as the means to advance in the world. He always shared that he was the first in the family to go to college and everyone in the family was expected to do the same. He served on many boards, commissions, and committees including the City’s Human Relations Commission; the Richmond Public Schools Board (Chair); the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV); the State Board of Education; multiple Blue Ribbon Commissions including the Virginia Council on Technology Teacher Education, the Virginia Advisory Council for Adult Education & Literacy, and the National Advisory Committee on Accreditation and Institutional Eligibility; the City of Richmond Electoral Board; the Richmond First Club (where he was the first Black member); the local Hampton Alumni Association; Richmond NAACP; Richmond Crusade for Voters; and the WWII Black Navy Veterans of Great Lakes among others. Many of these appointments were by Governors, City Councils, and Mayors, and in some cases the White House. Dr. Harris also was involved with multiple trades and vocational organizations to include the Richmond Technical Center Board, NAABAVE (National Association for the Advancement of Black Americans in Vocational Education), NAFEO (National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education), Minority Access, and the Industrial Arts Technical Education Association. As a 72 year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Brother Harris served on the Chapter and Regional levels. He held many offices, chaired many committees, and was named Keeper of Records and Seal Emeritus. He thoroughly loved mingling with his Omega Brothers. His fraternal legacy is one that continues to grow as he shared knowledge with all Brothers – young and old. His special gift was the hand carving of the fraternity’s shield while he was at Hampton Institute. Even though it was his work, he knew that shield would last forever and never leave the campus. Every member of Gamma Epsilon Chapter would get to know that exquisite work of fine craftsmanship. Through his growing friendship with his Phi Phi Chapter brother Oliver W. Hill, they were the first African Americans to attend the Governor’s Inauguration Reception for J. Lindsay Almond in 1958. Although they were not “formally” invited, Dr. Harris was confidently cautious about what they were doing as another step for progress. His fraternal recognitions include the Citizen of the Year, Omega Man of the Year, and multiple Superior Service Awards. He loved playing golf, cards, and politics. He traveled extensively to 48 states and to all continents except for Antarctica. Dr. Harris was in Tiananmen Square the week before the uprising and talked about its effect on humanity. Many of his international trips were for educational or cultural exchanges and he savored sharing the impact of those journeys and thousands of photos. Dr. Harris dearly loved and was so proud of his entire family. He loved to talk about their many educational and professional accomplishments. He was energized by the number of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees we have in the family. Throughout Harris's life, he was a mentor and advisor to so many peers and countless young people. As a bridge builder, he never hesitated to provide connections for career advancement opportunities. During his tenure at Virginia State, he was instrumental in many students’ enrollments and worked tirelessly to make sure his students stayed registered in spite of family or financial issues. Family members also knew that when needed, Uncle/Cousin/Brother/Nephew Ray was that beacon of hope. Dr. Harris was preceded in death by the love of his life, Frances; parents; infant great-granddaughter, Erica June Armstrong; sisters, Rosealee, (Annie) Ruth Clark, Hanna Brown, and Melvyn Goldsborough; brother, Copa Jay and son-in-law Ralph Portee. Survivors include his son, Rayford Jr. (Amy); daughters, Laurita Portee and Sonia Harris (Johnise Dupree); grandchildren, Courtney H. Armstrong (Chris), Mallory and Jordan Harris, Lauren Portee, and Ralph “Theo” Portee II; sisters, Mable Mickle and Wilma Jean Roscoe; brother, Chalmers (Mary); aunt, Rebecca Carrie Cunningham Patterson; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Remains rest at Scott’s Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. where viewing will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 5:45 P.M. Wednesday, January 19, 2022 followed by an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Memorial Service at 6 PM. Funeral services will be held 1 P.M. Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Scott’s Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Dr. James H. Harris officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery. Live streaming at scottsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Harris would be honored if donations were made to two special endowments: • The Rayford L. and Frances R. Harris Endowed Scholarship in Education Office of Alumni Affairs, Hampton University Alumni Endowed Fund, 38 Indian Road, Hampton, VA 23668

• Drs. Rayford Harris & William Reed Endowed Scholarship Virginia State University Foundation, P.O. Box 9027, Petersburg, VA 23806

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