Nathaniel Horace “Nat” Harris
1918-2013
Spouse
Victoria Smith Harris
1917-2002
Children
Nathaniel Horace Harris Jr.
Leslie Lemont Harris
Victoria Harris Reynolds
Jeanette Harris Cubbage
Janie M. Harris Franklin
Raymond Harris
Shirley Harris
Gerald Harris
Reginald Harris
Gwendolyn Harris Watts
Tonia Harris Feagin
Conrad Washington
Edgar Washington
Vincent Washington
Rev. Ivan Washington
Della Washington
Jerome McNeal
Rev. David Robinson
Natalie Johnson
Bobby Dixon
During the Ft Walton Beach (FWB) Jim Crow and Post Jim Crow Periods Nathaniel Horace “Nat” Harris was a FWB Sign Painter, Community Civil Rights Leader, Youth Mentor, devoted husband and father of 21 children! He was one the key FWB African American Movers and Shakers!
Nat was the first African American sign painter in Ft Walton Beach, FL. He painted the first signs at Eglin Air Force Base, the Gulfarium and the first sign inside of the museum at Tower Beach, at that time the largest shell roof in the world. He was the first black member of the Florida Outdoor Advertisers Association; with access to eight counties, where he worked with Eugene Stallsworth and Jim Willis of Brewton, AL.
As a FWB African American Community Civil Rights Leader and Youth Mentor Nat was honored by the Okaloosa County NAACP Chapter for his many FWB community achievements:
- Mr. Harris was the 1st black man to win a political office in Northwest Florida and was instrumental in organizing the 1st NAACP Branch in Fort Walton Beach, FL, where he served as President.
- Mr. Harris, together with Mr. Pete Early, Mr. Willie Bankston, Mr. Buster David, Mr. Joe Davenport, Ms. Mary Givens, Rev. Eugene Jones, Rev. Clanston Seymour, Rev. Robinson, Deacon Adams, Mr. James King & wife, and Mr. Otis Whitley (just to name a few) helped organized the 1st NAACP Branches in Florala and Opp, Alabama, Defuniak Springs, Crestview, Vernon, Chipley and Baker, Florida.
- Nat participated in the first march in Washington, D.C. in 1963 with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On Oct. 20, 2000 the first Nathaniel H. Harris Award was presented by the NAACP. That year, he was honored by the NAACP with the Linda Baptist Miller Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Nat organized the first Elks Council and was active in the Chamber of Commerce and the Elks Lodge.
- On April 13, 2013 together with other honorees, Mr. Harris was recognized during the “Walk of Fame” brick laying ceremony at the Chester Pruitt Park, Fort Walton Beach, Fl.
Mr. Harris loved all his Children, Grandchildren, Great- Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren. He loved to see the kids play ball, dance or just having fun. Mr. Harris taught his children about Civil Rights at an early age. He along with his children and other activists, lead the 1st Civil Rights March in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Hi son Leslie Harris and daughters, Victoria Harris Reynolds and Jeanette Harris Cubbage graduated from Carver-Hill High School Crestview, FL. Leslie was the second Carver-High School FWB African American student to graduate from college and the first to return and teach at FWB first African American W. E. Combs High School. Many of his children graduated from W. E. Combs High School, graduated from college, are active FWB civic leaders and NAACP members.
Nat, At age 95, passed away quietly with family surrounding him on August 30, 2013, at Emerald Hospice, FWB. Nathaniel Horace “Nat” Harris was laid to rest at the Beal Memorial Cemetery, FWD.
Leslie Lamont Harris age 76 (Carver-Hill High School Class of 1957) of Huntsville passed away on April 29, 2015. Leslie is survived by his daughter; Brittani Harris, son Leslie Harris II, grandson: Warren Stafford, brother: Raymond and his wife Viola Harris, Nathaniel Harris, sisters: Toni Harris Feagin, Jamie and her husband Rev. Ronald Franklin, Victoria Reynolds, Gwendolyn Watts, Jeanette Cubbage, and several nieces and nephews.