Emerson Newton Harris

Emerson Newton Harris, born on March 21, 1935 –died on January 8, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Patrick Harris and Margaret Martin Harris, his step mother, Dorothy Hendricks, a brother, Walter Harris, Jr., a son, Emerson Newton Harris, Jr., and a granddaughter, Mary Lauren Harris. He is survived by his daughter, Ashley H. Williams (Burney), his son, Brett Batchelor Harris (Kim), five grandchildren, Emerson N. Harris III, Christopher Thomas Harris, Frank B. Williams (Von), Brett A. Williams, and Brett Batchelor Harris Jr., and a great granddaughter, Rayleigh Harris. He is also survived by his brothers, John Edward Harris (Ed) and Justin Hendricks (Patsy), and several nieces and nephews. Emerson graduated from Fortier High School, attended Tulane, where he ran track and was a member of the “T” club and Kappa Sigma fraternity. He transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi where he graduated with a business degree. He worked in both insurance and real estate, became a real estate broker and opened his own company, Emerson Harris Real Estate. His company, with numerous agents, worked in Orleans, Jefferson and St Charles Parishes for over twenty five years. In 1998 he moved to Diamondhead, Mississippi where he continued to be active in real estate semi-retiring in 2005. Emerson was a lifelong fisherman who always enjoyed the water. He was especially happy fishing with his sons Pepper and Brett or his friends including Louis Alexander and Gary Griffin. Emerson rebuilt his home in Diamondhead after Hurricane Katrina and continued to enjoy fishing whenever he could as well as playing golf and cards. He has been a lifelong member of various United Methodist Churches. There will be a memorial service at Munholland United Methodist Church, Metairie, LA on Monday January 16, 2017. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm and a service will be held at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider donating in Emerson’s name to either: Munholland United Methodist Church, 1201 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70005 or the Diamondhead Community Church, 5301 Diamondhead Cir, Diamondhead, MS 39525. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com