On Sunday, March 25, 2012, Ms. Barbara Jacqueline Harris-Banks made her transition into eternal life at Wake Forest Baptist Health. Our beloved was born on February 14, 1937 in W-S, NC (Brushy Fork) to Frances Hill-Harris and Jestin L. Harris. She attended Forsyth County schools and graduated from Carver High School where in 1953 she formed the social group the "Brodies". After high school, she attended Winston-Salem Teachers College (Winston Salem State University) majoring in math.

"Bob", as she was called, loved music and loved to sing. She participated in various contest displaying her vocal talent. She joined Middlefork Christian Church at an early age and served in many capacities. In her later years, she was active in the Inspirational and Chancel Choirs and the Christian Women's Fellowship.

In 1963, she married and in 1964 relocated to Buffalo, NY, where she became the first African American Hardware Store, "Harris Hardware", owner. The store continues to exist today. Then in 1986, after 22 years, Bob relocated back to her home town of Winston-Salem where she became employed by and retired from the Forsyth County Public Library.

Bob will be forever missed and remembered for her cooking, organizational, and designing skills, funny personality, patience, tremendous strength and great taste in fashion. She was often the life of the party and a big cheerleader for all.

Left to cherish her memories are her eight children, Michael "Bebo" Harris, Debra Washington, Lula (Ross) Gray, Almira Banks, Tammy Banks, Glenn Banks Jr., Kimberley Banks and April (Edmond) Jones; 13 grandchildren, Dametris Banks, Barbara Banks, Domanique Jones, Imani Jones, April Jones, Takiela Washington, Lashawnda Washington, Natasha Washington, Anthony Harris, Clayton Harris, Chad Harris, Porcha Banks, and D'Ziar McDonald; 7 great-grandchildren, Paris Harris, Nadia Harris, Destiny Harris, and Kenard Harris, April Angelina Banks, Amiyah Washington, and Cameron Washington; left with fun and special memories of days gone by are her three brothers, Walter (Pat) Harris, Anthony (Thelma) Harris and Edmund "Corky" Harris; a God-sister, Maxine Hicks; God-mother, Edmonia Fisher; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Middlefork Christian Church with Reverend Robert Coleman officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1pm on Saturday at the Church.
The family will assemble and leave from 345 Nash Avenue W-S, NC 27101.
The surviving family members give thanks to all who prayed, gave a helping hand, visited, or uplifted her in any way during her illness. Thank You.