The Harris, Robert, Lewis-Caranda, and Tolbert Families announce with profound sorrow the passing of Hon. Melville F. Harris Jr. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the ELWA Hospital in Paynesville, Liberia.
The late Hon. Melville F. Harris Jr. was born on April 25, 1941, in Tapita, Nimba County, Liberia, unto the union of the late Hon. Melville F. Harris Sr. and Mrs. Josephine B. Harris, both of whom predeceased him.
Hon. Harris received his early education at Konola Seventh-Day Adventist Mission School in Margibi County, Liberia, and graduated from St. John Episcopal High School in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia.
He enrolled at Cuttington University in Suakoko, Bong County, where he studied Agriculture for several semesters and continued his education at the Nordic Agriculture College in Odense, Denmark, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in 1969. He later pursued graduate studies in Agricultural Economics at Lund University in Sweden, where he earned a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1974.
In 1976, Hon. Harris also completed a postgraduate course in Economic History as part of his first semester of a Ph.D. program. However, he was unable to complete the program and subsequently returned to Liberia due to the illness of his father, the late Hon. Melville F. Harris Sr., who was the Representative for District No. 5, Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia.
Hon. Harris dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the service of his country, particularly in the areas of academia, agriculture, economic planning, research, and national development. Hon. Harris worked with several institutions, which include Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) and the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC) respectively. He also served as a Professor at the Rural Development Institute (RDI), Cuttington University. Furthermore, Hon. Harris worked with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs for 26 years, where he held several important positions:
- Research Officer – 1984,
- Chief of the Agriculture Section – 1988,
- Director for Agriculture Research and Planning – 1996,
- Assistant Minister for Agriculture Planning and Policy – 1998,
- Acting Deputy Minister for Planning and Economic Affairs – 2000 and
- Senior Economist – 2003 to 2010.
He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Mrs. Erma Harris of forty (40) years; his children: Benjamin, Melvilla, Josephine (Chris), Princess, Merilyn, Vera, and Melville III; his grandchildren: Lordina, Abraham, Alyosious, Suamee, Josephina, Joseph, Otis, Chrislyn, Mikael, and Andre; his siblings: Charles (Victoria), Melvilla (Yomi), William E (Chris), Elizabeth(William), Francis, Louise, Queeta (William GBK), and Muna (Augustus); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and loved ones.
FUNERAL SERVICE:
Saturday, October 17, 2026, 9:00 A.M
International Christian Fellowship Church
(behind ELWA Police Station)
INTERMENT:
Harris’s Estate, Suacoco
Bong County, Liberia
CONTACTS:
Mr. Melville F. Harris III +231 886 135 408 Liberia
Mr. William E. Harris Liberia +231 772532289 Liberia
Mrs. Josephine Harris Grear +231 775 816 890 Liberia
Mrs. Melvilla Harris Noibi +1 (678) 488-3864 USA
Hon. Charles B. Harris+1(404)9511872 USA
Your prayers, love, comfort, and support during this mournful period are appreciated.
May His Soul Rest in Peace.
