Erskine Lee Harkey, Jr.
January 18, 2021
Erskine, a native Charlottean, was born July 15, 1938 to Frances Owen and Erskine (Speedy) Harkey, Sr. He passed away quietly Monday evening, January 18, 2021 due to COVID-19. Erskine attended Charlotte public schools and graduated from Central High School, Class of 1956, where he made lifelong friends. He attended Duke University on a Naval ROTC scholarship and on June 7, 1960, the day after graduation, married his high school sweetheart, Betty Galloway. He then served three years in the US Navy. After receiving an MBA from Northwestern University, they returned to Charlotte where Erskine began his financial career with First Union National Bank. In 1987, he formed The Investor Advisory Group where he served his clients with integrity and friendship. Erskine loved spending time with his family, traveling, going to baseball games, watching Duke basketball, and working in his yard. He was a member of St. John’s Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, teacher, Seeker and servant. Additionally, Erskine volunteered his time and served numerous organizations, including the North Carolina Nature Conservancy, Habitat for Humanity, Charlotte Opera Board, and North Carolina Environmental Protection Agency.
Erskine and Betty recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. In addition to Betty, he is survived by sons, Scott (Jane) of Greensboro, NC, and Rick (Melanie) of Pfafftown, NC, and Australian Exchange daughter Melanie Collins Bennett of Canberra, Australia. He was “Doodah” to grandchildren Lizzy (Ryan Pass), John, and Anna-Dixon, who will forever cherish great memories of fun times with him. Erskine loved Charlotte and as one classmate said, “his footprints are permanently embedded in the hallways of Central High and the streets of Charlotte”. The family extends thanks to the excellent Southminster caregivers who took such good care of him during his last days at Embrace Health Care.
Due to COVID restrictions, the family will have a private service of remembrance which will be live streamed on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 1:00 PM. To view the live-stream, please visit the St. John’s Baptist Church Facebook page. It will also be posted later on the St. John’s YouTube page for viewing.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204 or to the Betty G. and Erskine L. Harkey, Jr. Scholarship, CPCC Foundation, PO Box 35009, Charlotte, NC 28235-5009.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
Comments
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Found cousin Erskine's obit on Facebook....great picture...that's how I always want to remember him...! He was a gentleman, funny & enthusiastic about a variety of interests...I think golf must've been his favorite sport ;)
Will always miss him...please keep in touch....Jan~ -
Betty, I just ran across Erskine's obituary, and identify with your great sense of loss. He was a very fine
Christian man and it was a blessing to work with him several years at First Union. The use of your beach house
at Sunset Beach generated very fine memories for my family. May God grant you peace that passes all human
understanding and surround you with His love and comfort. -
We were privileged to be clients of Erskine's firm IAG and knew immediately he was a man of intellect and integrity.... And a fine person just to be with. As life has turned, I am now professionally associated with IAG and will have the honor to try and live up to the standards he set with his firm and his succeeding partners. We know you miss Erskine dearly. His impact is felt everyday that IAG continues. Sincere prayers and condolences to you all.
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Dear Betty Thanks for all both of you have done for Charlotte. You were a wonderful team. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Jean
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Dear Betty and the Harkey family, I am so sorry to hear of Erskine's passing. I remember him fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Steve
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Mrs Harkey I am sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Growing up in St John's and in your Sunday school classes in the early/mid 70's - has always been a great memory of mine. You were always a great Team. I don't ever remember seeing one of you without the other. You both taught me a great deal - although at the time I probably didn't show it. I will miss Mr Harkey a great deal - but I know he is in the best place forever now. My thoughts and prayers are with you & your family in this hard time. Lean on your family & friends and keep your memories close. Let God walk beside you. Cam
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Betty, Rick and Scott, Libby and I offer our condolences to your family. I saw it in the Sunday paper (1/24/21/). We have been friends of your family for years. Erskine and I were in the cradle roll at FBC when both of us were a couple of months old and have been friends ever since. Your mother became part of the picture a little later. We always had a close-knit group of young people FBC. Both of the ladies went to Meredith.
We moved from Charlotte, but as luck would have it, we would see you folks at the cafeteria in Statesville every couple of years.
Once again, I'm sorry to hear of Erskine's passing, but Libby and I are looking toward the day we see him again. -
Erskine was one of the nicest guys I ever met. From CHS until he passed Erskine always remember me with a smile and a “hi Nellie”. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
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Betty and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We go back to West Charlotte High School and Wake Forest where Allison and Melanie were roommates. Good memories. Our love to all of you.
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Betty, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We had special times growing up at First Baptist Church.
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