Harris broke barriers as first Black judge in Roanoke history
by S.Rotan Hale
Judge George Harris, Jr., 78, was well known as an unrelenting adjudicator whose passing, Friday, Jan. 23 created a wide range of reactions from his peers, many attorneys and those who went before him through numerous cases over which he presided.
“What impressed me most about Judge Harris was that he was an independent thinker that wasn’t afraid to make a decision that wasn’t traditional,” said Judge Onzlee Ware whose recent appointment to the bench in Roanoke raised the number of Black judges in the area. “He understood the plight of other people and was willing to give second chances to those he felt really deserving,” he added. “You didn’t want to get on his bad side, because Harris could strike fear in some people’s hearts.”
However some attest to Judge Harris’ sense of humor in and out of the courtroom and many agree that he could be extremely firm but just as fair. One example of his uncompromising style involved local attorney Ray Ferris who early in his career as a prosecutor, wound up in jail on a contempt charge after openly contesting a decision made by the judge. It was an incident Ferris later admitted to not handling well due to his inexperience at the time.
Judge Harris, a Lynchburg native, was born to George W. Harris, Sr. and Lelia Bolden Harris who preceded him in death. He graduated from the all-Black Dunbar High School in 1955 and became one of the first Blacks to attend University of Virginia (UVA). He transferred to Virginia Union University (VUU) in 1963 where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
As a student at North Carolina Central University, he earned his law degree in 1967. He subsequently passed the Virginia Bar Exam and began practicing law in Roanoke. In 1985 he was appointed judge to the 23rd Judicial District becoming the first Black judge in Roanoke history.
Throughout his 20-year career in the area, he transitioned from Roanoke City courts to Roanoke County and finally to the Salem area where he often served as a substitute judge even after his retirement in 2005. The course equipped him with an acute and balanced understanding of the region’s dynamics regarding defendants and the law.
As a result of his judicial prowess he became the president of the Old Dominion Bar Association and was a member of a host of others as: the Virginia Bar Association, Roanoke Bar Association, Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and others.
Many are unfamiliar with Judge Harris’ community affairs, whereby he served on the Roanoke City School Board as well as the Southwest Virginia Community Development Fund, Roanoke Valley Council of Community Services, the Hunton YMCA and the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley.
His survivors include: Helen Camm Harris, his wife of 57 years; son, George W. Harris, III; daughter-in-law, Earnestine Harris, two grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
His funeral will be held at noon Friday, January 30 at First United Methodist Church, 125 W. Main Street, Salem. Entombment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. Viewing will begin at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 2–5 p.m with the family being present from 2–4 p.m. Family visitation will also be held the same day from 6-8 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be sent to the “James Madison University Helen and George W. Harris Scholarship Fund,” Harrisonburg, VA or the James Madison “Ole School Scholarship Fund” or any charitable organization of your choice. Condolence may be sent to www.Hamlar-Curtis.com.
