Fred L. Harris, Jr., entered his earthly home on September 21, 1951, as the third child to the late Fred L. and Nancy Branson Harris. And as the sun rose on Sunday, October 18, 2020, he received his call from His Heavenly Father to come home and rest.

He was the pastor of Allen Temple AME Church, Chattanooga.  

To his family and childhood friends, he was affectionately known as “Ricky”. Reverend Harris played the clarinet, enjoyed singing and was a lover of music of all genres. 

Reverend Harris grew up at Bethel AME Church, where he was active in all programs of the church. It was through the teachings and nurturing of his family and the church family that he answered his call to God's ministry.  In 1981 he was licensed to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  Reverend Harris pastored throughout Tennessee and Kentucky. He also pastored in the Baptist Church for a short period in Scottsboro, Alabama. For 40 years he was a servant of God sharing the gospel with others and his testimony, which brought him great joy.

Reverend Harris was educated in the Chattanooga Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1969. He completed two years of college. He’s a veteran of the Vietnam Era, serving in the U.S. Army. Reverend Harris was a licensed certified nursing assistant. Throughout his career he worked in various healthcare facilities in TN and KY. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rev. Dr. Sylvia A. Harris.

Reverend Harris leaves to cherish his memories a son, Quincy (Melodee) Harris and daughter, DeShannon Jackson of Chattanooga;  stepchildren, Antiono (Yolanda) Shackleford and Tanara Hicks, both of Atlanta; sister, Rev. Dr. Sheila E. Harris of Chattanooga; brother, R. Roland (Betty) Harris of Rock Island Illinois; uncle, Dr. Nathaniel W. Branson of Baltimore, MD; aunt, M. Francis Branson of Colorado Springs, CO; 14 grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews; several God Children; a special friend, Linda Fuqua. 

Public viewing will be held from 1–6 p.m. in the funeral home chapel on Monday, Oct. 26. A funeral service will be held at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Bethel AME Church, 2001 Walker Ave., Chattanooga. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.