Robert took a job at U.S. Steel in the maintenance and purchasing department that would last him forty-one years.

A job was not to be the only milestone in his young life. He met his wife, Cluster, from Huntington, Tennessee. They married on Jan. 12, 1948.

Although Robert and Cluster had many friends in Lorraine, they planned to retire back in the South where the climate was more accommodating.
“Up there they experience COLD winters.” Robert says. “It would get down to 19 below zero in some winters. We always had to wear gloves, and.if you touched metal in those temperatures your skin would stick to it. I was glad I worked inside,” he added.

“After I retired, we wanted to move back home to warmer weather. I’m an outdoor person and like to be out all year round.” He said. They purchased their property in We purchased our property here in 1974.

Although they Miss being with friends in Ohio, they do go back to visit in the summer months. It gives them the opportunity to travel, which we do mostly by driving, which they prefer. Driving gives them a chance to enjoy the scenery and sites, and they make frequent trips to Lorraine or to see a brother in San Antonio, Texas. From a family of 7 children, four remain. Three passed away in Lorraine.

They have one daughter, Janell, who lives in Jacksonville, Florida. They have a grandchild, Terri and one great-grandchild, Craig, (C.J.) aged 6. The children visit regularly, which is a particular treat for C.J. who loves visiting in the ‘country’. Robert’s sister, Lilieum Foster, lives next door in Ramer.

The Harrises are members of Rockdale Baptist Church.

Mr. Harris has been associated with the Cooperative Extension Service and awarded a plaque in 1999 for his involvement with the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service.

His hobby is gardening. He grows beautiful tomatoes, blackeyed peas, green beans, okra, peppers, and red and white sweet potatoes. “We don’t have to go to supermarket very often”, he says. We have two freezers full of fresh vegetables we have grown.”

Robert also raises some cattle, and currently has a mixed Black Angus bull and four heifers to keep him busy.

When asked about being a MonCre board member, Robert said, ““When I first moved here, Larry Menifee asked me to join the board. I first said no, but he asked me often; I finally agreed to come on board. I like it.”

He continues, “Of course there have been quite a few changes since I first became a board member. Now we have such things as fiber optic lines and DSL for computers.

I try to make the meetings of NTCA. I have two trips a year as a board member, One to Jacksonville, Florida, and one to Mississippi.

“This gives me the opportunity to talk to other board members from other cooperatives in different areas. Gives a chance to share ideas.

These trips are positive for planning for the future – new ideas, giving new opportunities to plan.

MonCre has been very good to the community. I get good comments from cooperative members. I really don’t hear any complaints.”

“Cluster does the cooking, says Robert. “It’s her hobby. She loves to make desserts, cakes, pies, and Christmas cookies.”

Robert’s favorite is Cluster’s Lemon Chess Pie. The recipe appeared in a collection of recipes produced by women in Lorraine, Ohio, in an effort to keep ‘old-timey’ recipes from being forgotten or lost. Ms. Harris has generously shared her recipe below.