Harris, Robert E. (Rev)

Citizen-Times. com
Asheville, NC
May 17, 2007

Legendary circuit-riding preacher dies at 83

The Rev. Robert E. Harris never needed a permanent pulpit and rows of pews to spread the Gospel, friends of the old-time circuit-riding preacher said Wednesday.

If nothing else, proof of that can be found in his radio and television ministries and the Asheville Drive-In Church he began 47 years ago, said the Rev. Gayle Brown.

Before his death this week at 83, Harris was known by many throughout the South as the circuit rider, having made a name for himself by donning a black frock coat, cowboy hat and colonel tie and mounting a horse to spread the Gospel.

Brown called Harris “a legend in his own time” whose ministries touched thousands of lives, including the life of the Rev. Jeff Smith, pastor and founder of Blue Ridge Cowboy Church.

Burial Friday

A funeral for Robert E. Harris will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Groce Funeral Home, 1401 Patton Ave., Asheville, with the Revs. Weldon Ramsey and Kenny Gillum officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. His family will receive friends 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

“He was a fine Christian man,” Bailey said. “He was a very devout faithful child of God.”

Photo courtesy of Citizen-Times

Sources: The Oklahoman; Teafor2 (photos)

Contributed by Marti Graham, May 2007. Information posted as courtesy to viewers and researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.

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