John Harrington

John Henry Harrington a.k.a. "Goat", was born on May 22, 1943 in the town of Rockingham, North Carolina to Elizabeth and James Ratliff (both deceased), he was the second oldest child of five children; three boys and two girls.

John attended various public schools throughout Rockingham such as St. Stephens School, Ashley Chapel, and Leak Street. During his late teen years, he dropped out of school while working on the family’s farm to make a living. He faithfully attended St. Stephen’s Missionary Baptist Church with his family.

In 1962, John made the decision to move north to Elizabeth, New Jersey where he resided for many years and served as a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church. His favorite uncle, Phillip Hicks Sr. (deceased) took him under his wing and had him set up with a job. In doing so, he worked at Di Alicia Cookie Factory and later drove tractor trailers from time-to-time. In the late 1960’s, John landed a position with General Motors (GM) placing detail stripes on vehicles, as well as operating a forklift. During GM strikes and furlough breaks, John would go back to driving a tractor trailer transporting various products/perishables, working part-time at the car wash on Broad St. in Elizabeth or driving a taxi cab part-time to make ends meet. After 31 years of service at General Motors, John retired in January 2000.     

During John’s young adult years, he met and married Joyce Clanton Harrington in which 17 years of marriage was shared, and two beautiful children created; Audra Elizabeth Harrington and Celaine Cynthia Harrington Norris. Through God’s grace, Audra and Celaine never wanted for anything as John always made himself available to them and a few others whenever he could. John was the #1 supporter of his daughters when it came to baseball, cheerleading, band, bowling or dance school. He even supported his grandchildren; Antoine, Dayzia, Amana, and Ayanna as well as Jacqueline at baseball games, pageants, and other activities.

However, during John’s seasoned years, he happily married Sylvia Johnson Harrington (they would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in August of 2020). Sylvia lovingly became a bonus mom, grand mom, and surrogate to many. After a few years into their marriage (March 2000), the two decided to relocate south to Rockingham, North Carolina upon John’s retirement. In doing so, John and Sylvia returned to John’s home church, St. Stephens Missionary Baptist, where he was an advocate for the church, an Usher, Trustee, and also an ordained Deacon as of October 2012. In addition, he became the Vice President of Ashley Chapel Community Center in 2006, and later became the President in 2015. In December 2019, John was honored by Ashley Chapel Community Center for his work within the center and community.

John’s God given talent was his hands! He worked on cars whether detailing, working under the hood, and executed exterior and interior upgrades. He also performed a variety of renovations in homes and halls such as; kitchens, basements, bathrooms, and bedrooms…laying tile, varnishing floors, installing/removing carpet, roof work, cabinet renovations, building furniture, electrical work, installation of sheetrock, painting, and working in the yard. Leisurely, he bowled on various leagues, played chair volley ball on a senior team, played ball on a champion senior baseball league, enjoyed going to auctions, flea markets, the race track, and attended as well as entered his antique Nova in local car shows. Nonetheless, John would offer up assistance and/or financial assistance to whomever was in need without hesitation. Ultimately, the man had culinary skills too…but don’t dare disrupt John’s groove in the kitchen when making dozens of sweet potato pies…the kitchen belonged to him and his beloved mother!

Although John was a five-year cancer survivor, he was fighting congestive heart failure for a number of years. Yet, he still served diligently! Preceding John in death are; Mary Ratliff (sister), Wiley Ratliff (brother), Betty Lou Mitchell (sister), Cathy Ratliff Lockett (sister), James McElveen (brother) and Hannah Whitfield (sister).    

 John lovingly leaves to cherish his memory; his wife: Sylvia Johnson Harrington, children: Audra E. Harrington and Celaine C. Norris (Monti), surrogate: Jacqueline A. Bloomfield, siblings: Joseph Ratliff and Annie Black (John), Delilah Johnson, Lula Canty, Frieda Bloomfield, Jackie Bloomfield Sr., Mary Waddell Gresham, Bessie Waddell, Grandchildren: Antoine D. Mayfield, Dayzia R. Gadson, Amana A. Norris, and Ayanna Lucas Brown, God children: Sharrod Reeves, Tiffany Birdsong, Nijah Walker, and Ahmad Hayes Green, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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