to Curtis and Ruth Harris. Herbert Bragg, Hopewell's Intergovernmental and Public Affairs Director was master of ceremony, music was rendered by the Harris Connection Singers (Harris' children and grandchildren) and statements were made by Union Baptist Pastor Dr. Anthony Nutt, Hopewell Mayor Michael Bujakowski, Hopewell Vice Mayor Jasmine Gore, Hopewell City Manager Mark Haley, Hopewell Councilwoman Brenda Pelham, Hopewell Councilwoman Jackie Shornak, Virginia State Senator Henry Marsh, and Dr. Joanne H. Lucas (Harris' daughter). Letters were read from Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, U.S. Senator Mark Warner and U.S. Senator Timothy Kaine. On July 1, 2017, Harris celebrated his 93rd birthday with family and friends at a program,"The Life and Legacy of Rev. Dr. Curtis West Harris," hosted by Union Baptist Church where he was Pastor Emeritus. He died in Chester, Virginia at The Crossings at Ironbridge on December 10, 2017, at the age of 93. Awards and honors 1971 - Citizen of the Year Award (Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Delta Omega chapter) 1972 - Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree (Virginia University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA) 1978 - Dedicated Service Award (Virginia State University President, Board of Visitors and Faculty, Petersburg, VA) 1981 - Rosa Parks Award (National Southern Christian Leadership Conference) 1983 - Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law degree (Virginia University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA) 1984 - Recognition of Excellence (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development) 1984 - Majestic Leader Award (The Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, Landover, MD) 1992 - Unmatched Determination Award (Southern Christian Leadership Conference National Board) 1998 - Sworn in as first African-American mayor of Hopewell, Virginia 2000 - American Century Award (The Washington Times Foundation, Inc., Washington, DC) 2001 - Selected for Dominion Strong Men and Women: Excellence in Leadership (Dominion Energy, Richmond, VA) 2005 - Elected Vice President of National Southern Christian Leadership Conference 2007 - Library in Carter G. Woodson Middle School in Hopewell, Virginia dedicated to and named for Curtis W. Harris (Hopewell School Board, Hopewell, VA) 2014 - Two streets in Hopewell, Virginia renamed in honor of Curtis W. Harris and his wife, Ruth J. Harris (Hopewell City Council, Hopewell, VA) 2015 - Highlighted at the Virginia Legends Luncheon (Radio One Incorporated, Richmond, VA) 2016 - Lifetime Leadership Award (Children's Home of Virginia Baptist, Inc., Petersburg, VA) 2017 - Life and Legacy of Rev. Dr. Curtis West Harris Celebration (Union Baptist Church, Hopewell, VA) 2019