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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTheir shared commitment to their community is perhaps best exemplified by their work with Pickett Chapel, the only church they\u2019ve ever known. \u201cThis church is the foundation of our lives,\u201d Mary explained. \u201cIt was sold to freed slaves in 1866, and it holds so much significance for us and the community.\u201d Mary, the church historian, and Harry have worked tirelessly for the last 20 years to renovate the chapel, which will eventually house the Roy Bailey Museum and History Center. \u201cWhen we published our history book, \u201cIn Their Own Voices,\u201d in 1999, we made a commitment to purchase and restore Pickett Chapel,\u201d Mary said. \u201cWe\u2019re working hard to see it finished so the community can enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their activism extends back to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, a time when Pickett Chapel opened its doors to activists. \u201cWe\u2019ve always believed in bringing people together,\u201d Mary said. \u201cNot just Black people, but all people, working in harmony and striving for success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to their work with the chapel, the Harrises have been instrumental in preserving the history of African Americans in Wilson County. As members of the Wilson County Black History Committee, they co-authored the 300-page book \u201cIn Their Own Voices,\u201d which documents the experiences of African Americans in the area. \u201cWe started the book in 1994 and published it five years later,\u201d Mary said. \u201cIt was a labor of love, and we\u2019re proud of what we accomplished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Recently, the Harrises were surprised with an award recognizing their lifetime achievements. \u201cIt was such a beautiful affair,\u201d Mary said. \u201cWe\u2019re grateful to the chamber of commerce for honoring us in this way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite their many accolades, Mary and Harry remain humble. \u201cI don\u2019t consider myself a role model,\u201d Mary said when asked how it feels to be such a positive role model in the community. \u201cI just hope I\u2019ve done some positive things so that young people can emulate me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their story is one of love \u2014 for each other, their family, and their community. As they continue their work on Pickett Chapel, they look forward to seeing their vision realized. \u201cWe want this chapel to be a place for everyone,\u201d Mary said. \u201cA place where history is preserved, and the community can come together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 68 years of marriage, countless community projects, and a lifetime of memories, Mary and Harry Harris are shining examples of the spirit of dedication and love. Their legacy will undoubtedly inspire generations to come. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sitting side by side on a comfy couch in the cozy living room of their Lebanon home, Mary and Harry Harris were surrounded by a lifetime of memories \u2014 old magazine articles, newspaper clippings, awards, and accolades carefully laid out as if to tell the story of their remarkable journey. Their love story, spanning an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":22492,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n