Deacon Harold

Cecil Glenn

Deacon Harold Cecil Glenn, of Richmond, died November 5, 2023. He was the son of the late Floyd Lee Glenn and Irene Cash. He was born on November 16, 1932, in his childhood home at 321 S. Randolph Street in Richmond, Virginia. Harold accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age and was baptized at Sharon Baptist Church.

He started his early education at Randolph Elementary School, attended Booker T. Washington Middle School, and was a proud graduate of Armstrong High School's class of 1953. He also attended Virginia Union University. He was an ambitious student and possessed a natural hunger for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. This led him to be a lifelong student, often inquiring about various topics and engaging in thoughtful debates and discussions with family and friends.

Not only was he ambitious in academia, he was a hard worker at Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P), where he retired after twenty years of service. He was a member of Cedar Street Baptist Church for thirty-eight years and was an active participant in many organizations. He taught Sunday School, served with the Prison Ministry, actively participated in the Bereavement Ministry, and faithfully served on the Diaconate Ministry for many years until he was no longer able. Singing was one of his many passions, along with community engagement, fashion, gardening, and a host of other pursuits. He sang bass and tenor with a local quartet called The Christian Travelers and also participated in many other groups such as The Victory Choir, The Metro Mass Choir, and The Virginia Choral Ensemble.

Harold loved his community and eagerly poured into the youth, leaving joy, merriment, and inspiration in his wake. He was the first African-American Santa Claus at Eastgate Mall and was well-known and loved throughout Richmond as "Soul Santa" along with his wife Julia as Mrs. Claus for thirty years. Families came from all over the world, traveling from as far as Africa to have their pictures taken with Soul Santa.

Harold was a zealous fan of the Washington Commanders, formally known as the Washington Redskins, and engaged in gardening as one of his primary hobbies. He maintained a special inclination for marigolds and azaleas with his most prized possessions being the Japanese Koi fish that he nurtured to up to two feet in his garden pond. As a style enthusiast, he owned an array of vibrant suits and accessories and often dressed as lively as the flowers in his garden.

Harold was married to his faithful and devoted wife Julia Glenn for forty-two years. She was the love of his life and they shared many beautiful memories together. He was known to fiercely advocate for and protect his wife, ensuring that she was always treated with respect. Even in his absence, Harold remains the proud father of Keith Glenn (Selena) and Kimberly Glenn from his previous marriage and a loving stepfather to his late son Timothy Robinson (Lisa) from his union with Mrs. Julia Glenn. He leaves to cherish his memory three granddaughters, Katrina, Alexis, and Krystal (Joshua), five step-grandchildren, Lindsay, Nicholas, Cameron, Kennedee, and Joel, great-grandchildren, Malachi, Malaysia, and Elora, and a host of family and friends.

His contagious laughter, humbling spirit, warm personality, and love for everyone will truly be cherished and missed. His loving memory will live in our hearts forever.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Boulevard, where viewing will be held from 10 a.m.until 7 p.m. Monday, November 13, 2023. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 14 at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Rev. Dr. Warne Dawkins officiating. Interment private.