Emily Harris

Emily Bowens Harris was born to Clara & Harold Bowens on September 6, 1958, in Palatka, Forida in the family home with the assistance of a midwife. She spent her early childhood on the beautiful island of Marathon Key. Her family was a part of the Great Migration of African Americans who relocated north to find work in the 1960s. At the age of nine she moved to New Jersey, first living with family in Farmingdale before settling in Neptune.

She attended the Neptune Public School System graduating from High School in 1977. She considered going into the army but her then boyfriend Daniel convinced her to stay in New Jersey to be with him. In 1980 they started a family with the birth of their daughter Nicolle. They got married the following year on July 4, 1981, and it’s been fireworks ever since. They bought their family home in Asbury Park where they have resided for 47 years. 

Emily was a gifted fashion designer and worked as a seamstress for several years. She made everything from prom dresses to sportswear and even designed her wedding dress. She hosted fashion shows and sold clothes she designed herself at the Collingswood Auction on the weekends. In addition to being a seamstress she also worked at Clara’s Place a local soul food restaurant opened and operated by her mother. She was glad to support her mother’s dream and over the years worked as a waitress and manager at the local eatery.

Emily was also musically talented and athletic. She was a great softball player playing multiple positions and was a strong hitter. If you spent any time around Emily, you know she loved to sing and would make-up songs all the time.

Emily came to know the Lord at an early age. As a child she attended Faith Baptist Tabernacle. First under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Wilmore Carter followed by Overseer Porter S. Brown, Sr. Later as an adult she joined Macedonia Baptist Church with Pastor Tommy Miles. When her daughter Rev. Dr. Nicolle D. Jean-Simon became a pastor in 2018 she worshiped with her every Sunday at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Atlantic City until Nicolle was relocated to serve in New York. She then joined Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park under Dr. Semaj Y. Vanzant where she enjoyed singing in the choir whenever she was able.

Emily was incredibly supportive of her family and nurtured their dreams and supported all their activities. You could often find her at her husband’s games as he coached basketball or volleyball. She cheered for the coach as loud as she did for the team. She supported her daughter’s ministry traveling with her everywhere from Tennessee, North Carolina, Delaware, and New York to hear her Babygirl preach. Nicolle always knew she had at least one AMEN in the congregation as long as her mother was there. More than anything Emily has enjoyed being a grandmother for the past two years. Her granddaughter Emily Monique was her pride and joy! She and her husband Daniel would do anything for their grandbaby and now she will keep an eye on her from the heavenly realms.

Emily departed this world on May 3, 2026, and leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband of 44 years, Deacon Daniel A. Harris III, her daughter, Rev. Dr. Nicolle D. Jean-Simon, son-in-law, Junior Jean-Simon, granddaughter, Emily Monique Jean-Simon, and grandson, Bryan Jean-Simon, sister, Brenda Bowens, adopted sons, Cory Williams and Shaeem Marcus, her in-laws, Dianna Harris, Velda Jeter (Claude), Timothy Harris (Sondra), nieces, Asirian Bowens-Wilson (Rahman), Darcele Campbell (Jeff), Chanele Bowens, and Rachel Harris Hughes (Aaron), nephews, Anthony Bowens (Davida Bowens), Jason Harris, Timothy Harris Jr. (Bridget), and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Clara Bowens, in-laws, Daniel and Marion Harris Jr., sister, Patricia Bowens and brother, David Bowens. She enjoyed special fun filled times with her cousins, Beulah Warren and Equilla West, and her friends, Lori Harris, Tony Lippet, Karen Brown, and sister-in-law, Felica Underwood. 

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