KNOXVILLE, TN (October 28, 2020) – Harold Agnew, Sr. was born to Henry and Allie Agnew in Anderson, S.C., on February 23, 1928. He retired several months ago due to the pandemic. He was cared for by his loving daughter. It was during this time that he began longing to be with his family and friends at his Heavenly Home. On October 26, 2020, he peacefully transitioned into eternal life.
Harold grew up in the church and was baptized at Welfare Baptist Church in Belton, S.C. where he and his family loved to sing. He began singing and playing instruments in a quartet at an early age with his brothers Charles, and a few close friends.
He was raised on a farm in Anderson, S.C. with his many sisters and brothers under the watchful eyes of their parents. He completed his education in the South Carolina school system where he met and married Mallie. Shortly after, he joined the Army and fought overseas. After his tour of duty he returned home and focused on his new family.
For fun he played city league baseball in both Belton and Knoxville. He was an outstanding player who hit many homeruns and stole a lot of bases that helped propel his team to victory. He never once made a big deal or bragged about this talent.
In the late fifties, Harold moved his family to Knoxville, TN, to be with his brother Charles and worked at the Medical Arts Building as a parking attendant. He was an avid pool player in his day. He played pool at Hudson Pool Hall in Mechanicsville and not many players could beat him. From baseball to pool and in his senior years, he still had that winning edge when playing in pool tournaments at his new home, Guy B. Love Towers.
His love for gospel music never waned. He was well-known for singing, playing the piano, and directing choirs in various churches across East Tennessee for over six decades. He sang and played the guitar with The Southern Travelers for many decades.
He was asked to perform at a 1982 World’s Fair venue. He gathered up a few background singers and off he went with his newly formed group. Harold and his wife Mallie enjoyed many summer evenings at the Knoxville World’s Fair.
As time passed, he was asked to sing at funerals for his family, friends, then friends of friends. Gary Gamble, owner of Gam’s Barbershop, dubbed him the “Funeral Singer” partially due to the popular request to sing the song, “Walk Around Heaven All Day”.
For over four decades, the community would look forward to going to his gospel programs every first Sunday in November with Grady Benn, his pianist. They invited various gospel groups, solo singers, and inspirational speaker Hallerin Hilton Hill to lift up the Name of Jesus.
After his wife Mallie died, Harold moved to Love Towers. His reputation preceded him. He was asked to play the piano for many activities and he became popular with his Love Tower neighbors. After he turned 90 years old, during his annual program, Hallerin had the wonderful idea to capture Mr. Agnew’s singing voice on CD, but only if the community would support this effort. At the gracious age of 91, he made his first CD “Servin’ the Lord”.
After working as a parking attendant in the Medical Arts Building, Mr. Agnew went back to school to receive his barber’s license. For the next 7 decades, you could find him barbering in a shop near University Avenue and College Streets. He was a mainstay in several barbershops on that block, which included Mr. McNabb, Harold Stephens, and lastly Gary Gamble at Gam’s.
He was a highly respected and established member of the community. His reputation as a barber was one of compassion and trust. His legacy spans over decades of boys in the community, students from Knoxville College and UT and many young men and their fathers who got their first haircut and a tad of wisdom from Brother Harold. May of those young men looked up to Mr. Agnew for a surrogate uncle, dad, granddad or trusted friend. and would later bring their offspring His personality tagged him with enduring names that included, The Entertainer, The Living Legend, and The Icon of the Community, to name a few.
To Mr. Agnew, it was a joy to work and serve in the community and church.; was. and never complained or was seriously ill. Who do we know that can work nowadays like him? Mr. Agnew is the epitome of a strong man. He was always in good spirits, had encouraging words and wisdom for you to live by This is the strength only God can give you. In all things he was content. Having material things was not his goal in life.
Harold achieved many accolades later in his life. He has been featured in Bill Landry’s Heartland Series as the “Singing Barber”, in many newspaper articles, and interviewed on several news channels. He was chosen as the Grand Marshal of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in 2019 and sang on its program.
There was one thing in this life that his heart desired. He wanted his daughter’s Green Toyota Camry. But instead God blessed him with his own Silver Toyota Camry of which he said, “Servin’ the Lord does pay off after while.”
Harold achieved many accolades later in his life. He has been featured in Bill Landry’s Heartland Series as the “Singing Barber”, in many newspaper articles, and interviewed on several news channels. He was chosen as the Grand Marshal of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in 2019 and sang on its program.
There was one thing in this life that his heart desired. He wanted his daughter’s Green Toyota Camry. But instead God blessed him with his own Silver Toyota Camry of which he said, “Servin’ the Lord does pay off after while.”
Harold is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years and his son Harold Jr.
Harold will be missed, remembered, and always loved by his family. He is survived by his sister Eunice of Belton, SC, and sister-in-law Dorothy of Boston, MA. His children; Lewis (Joyce), Rita, Anna (life time partner Thomas), Lisa, Lindell (Linda), North Carolina, Sheretta, and daughter-in-law Regina. Grandchildren; Shannon, LaQuisa, Kelvin, Nikki, Atlanta, GA, Jamon, Jermaine, Vincent (Andrea), Oak Ridge, TN, Shantel, Washington, DC, CJ, Alex, LaDawna, Lil Tommy, Kira, LJ, Koresa; Great-grandchildren Shayonna, Michael, DeEric, Iineishia, JaMarius, Kadeadra, Brydrik, LaShawna, Los Angelos, CA, Joshua, Dazia, MayMay, VC, Gabby, Leilei, Beans, Gee, Lexy, LaQuanya, LaDeria, Arianna, Thomasia, TJ, Brannon and Byce; Great-Great Grandchildren Shay’Myree, Baby Reece, Baby Michael, JaMeris, Cameron, Kobe, Kai, Baby DeEric, Khalia, Kamonie, Kamaya, Malijah, Cooper, Los Angelo, CA, Zi, Jordyn, Lil Keno and A’Quavion
Also, left to cherish his memories are too many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins to name. He adored you all. His childhood friend George Dean and a host of special friends too many to name including former co-workers and clients at Gam’s Barbershop.
You can read Mr. Agnew’s obituary here. The services are entrusted to Jarnigan & Son Mortuary