Steven M. Harris, 56, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina.
Steven, the youngest of three sons to Tom and Carolyn Harris, was born on August 20, 1969, in St. Louis, Missouri, while his father was stationed at Scott Air Force Base. Steven’s childhood was guided by many military moves with his father’s career. His parents centered their home on faith and family, which shaped Steven’s character, values, and eventually, his call into pastoral ministry.
At his father’s retirement, Steven’s family settled in Papillion, Nebraska. At age 14, on Steven’s first day at his new middle school, he met his future wife, Heather Ledford, and they would date through their high school years. Steven was involved in drama and was known for his energetic and friendly personality. He graduated from Papillion-La Vista High School in 1987 and entered his studies at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Within a few years, he felt the Lord shifting his own plans – to follow God’s leading into full-time ministry. Steven was involved in various ministry opportunities during his college years and lived out his faith fearlessly.
One week after his 1991 “El Cid” graduation, he married Heather, his high school sweetheart, at Sumerall Chapel in Charleston, SC. They served as directors of Bonnie Doone Conference Center in Walterboro before attending Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
“Pastor Steve”, Heather, and their only son (Matthew) blessed the Kingdom of God tremendously during their years of ministry, serving the Lord faithfully at Berea 1st Baptist (Greenville, SC), Northern Heights Baptist (Norfolk, NE), Daybreak Community Church (Greenville, SC), 1st Baptist Daytona Beach (FL), and Central Baptist (Henderson, NC).
In 2011, Steven stepped away from full-time ministry to focus on his own personal health. “Pastor Steve” returned to part-time ministry in 2019 to serve at Judson Baptist Church (La Vista, NE) for several years. From college friends to those who called him pastor, he will always be remembered by his contagious laughter, sense of humor, and love of the Lord.
All his life, and especially in these later years, Steven found strength in his faith in Jesus Christ which sustained him through the death of his wife in 2012, along with his numerous health challenges. Through it all, Steven remained thankful for God’s grace upon his life. He never forgot “whose he was and who he belonged to”.
Some of Steven’s fondest memories as a child were the summers he spent at “The Farm” in Chesnee, South Carolina, visiting his maternal Grandma, Velma Bonner. Steven’s great grandparents had built the house themselves, and he always told stories of how special this place was to him.
In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of almost 21 years, Heather Ledford Harris.
He is survived by his son, Matthew, two brothers, Tom (Lisa) and John (Rhonda), nieces and nephews, and many brothers and sisters in Christ who will miss him dearly.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.”
-Proverbs 3:5
All are invited to join us for a celebration of Steven’s life on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Berea First Baptist Church, located at 529 Farrs Bridge Road, Greenville, SC 29611.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Agape Hospice by visiting https://sc.agapecaregroup.com/