Mr. Harold Roman Person
was born November 28, 1933 in Tillery, NC to Anthony Person, Jr. and Lula Tillery Person. He was the 15th of 16 children. He was educated in Tillery Elementary School and Brawley High School. He received his barber license in the mid-1950s from the barber college in Raleigh, NC. At the age of 23, while working at Bobbitt's Barber Shop in Enfield, he met the love of his life, Lucille Joyce Bobbitt, and they were married on November 14, 1956 at 7:30 p.m. in Weldon, NC at the home Reverend William "Bud" Clark.

Harold prepared a home for his bride by renting a house on Whitaker Street in Enfield, where their first two children were born. The family lived in Whitakers, NC for a brief period, then returned to Whitaker Street, where two more children were added to the circle of love. He purchased a home for his family in the late sixties and continued to reside on Collins Drive until his failing health. He raised his four children and some of his grandchildren at his modest home that was filled with love, warmth, and laughter. He also enjoyed caring for his various pets and growing beautiful gardens of collards, corn, tomatoes, okra, squash, and string beans behind his home. He established his children's work ethic by having them work in the garden. He enjoyed sitting on the porch with his wife watching the cars go by.


Throughout his life, Harold maintained positive and strong ties to his siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews. The family took frequent drives to Tillery and the Horseshoe on Sunday evenings to visit with his sisters, Chris, Geneva, and Annie Mae. He was extremely close to his sisters, who he also enjoyed loading up in the car to visit other family members on the East Coast. If a family member was in need, Harold would be there. As he aged, he would remain in contact by telephone. Harold kept his telephone conversations brief with everyone except his sisters. Prior to receiving a pacemaker, he was the family barber for his dad, brother, uncle, and all of his nephews who lived in the area.

Harold embodied Christian love. He treated people the way he wanted to be treated. He was a lifetime member of Tillery Chapel Baptist Church in Tillery,NC. He grew up in the church, and followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Anthony Person, Sr. and his uncle, Tom Person by becoming a deacon and serving for 33 years. He was ordained by the late Rev. Edward Fleming. He served on the Finance Committee and the church treasurer for many years. Prior to the addition of the dining hall, Harold played a major role in the annual Homecoming preparations by transporting the table and chairs from Rocky Mount to Tillery for the church dinner.

Hard work was no stranger to Harold who grew up on a farm. After a few years as a barber, he began working at Abbott's Laboratories in Rocky Mount, until he retired in 1987. Soon after, he sought part-time work at Honeywell, which turned into 20 years of full-time work. In 1999 during Hurricane Floyd, he received a citation for going "above and beyond the call of duty" by remaining at work for several days when others could not come. Harold also provided custodial services for BB&T Banking Company for more than 20 years, later the Enfield Fire Department, and a few other small businesses. He established lasting friendships with many coworkers in all of these locations. Family and friends loved stopping by to see Harold and Joyce, but often only saw Joyce because the "Road Runner" was at work or assisting family friends in need.

Even though Harold worked hard, he took time to provide his children with fond memories of annual trips to White Lake and Chowan Beach. Harold also assisted other friends by transporting their families to the beach. During the 70s and 80s, he often drove his friends' children to colleges throughout the state and also transported family and friends to the bus and train stations. He was known for always going some place "quick, fast, and in a hurry" in his red pickup truck with the license plate, "If you can't hang with the Big Dogs, stay on the porch."

Harold leaves a powerful legacy of faith, family, love, and determination. Survivors include his devoted wife of almost 60 years, Joyce; his children, Harold Lorenzo. (Gloria)Person of Greenville, Marilyin Person Turner of Enfield, Dr. Doris Person of Lewes, DE, and Tony (Vivian) Person of Enfield; his grandchildren, Latricia McWilliams, Damion Brewington, Treschell Person, Vermay Whitaker, Ryan Turner, Toni Person, Harold Anthony Person, Lorenzo (AK)Person, Deaveon Allen, and Gabrielle Person. Eleven great-grand-children (Alexia, Jada, QuaNazeon, Samayah, Ky'Asiah, Kirsten, Kahli, Ky'Nia, Amari, NyLacia, and Ver'maya) brought bright smiles and hearty laughter to his life especially during the last 14 months. He is survived by two sisters, Geneva Hedgepeth of Halifax, NC and Lillian Person (Jesse) Flood of Baltimore, MD; five sisters-in-law; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and co-workers who were like his daughters. His daughter-in-law, Shelia McWilliams Person preceded him in death.


On Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount, NC, Harold, a beloved man of God, husband, daddy, grand-daddy, brother, uncle, friend, mentor, loyal employee, good neighbor and fast driver, quietly boarded the heaven-bound train to join his deceased parents and siblings (Henry, John, Richard, Garrett, Raymond, Annie Mae, Walter, Adell, William, Mary, Steve, Lula Mae, Arie, and Julia) in a land of rejoicing, where sorrow and pain dwell no more.

Condolences are welcomed by the family!