P. Harris Hines was a brilliant jurist who rose to the most prominent post on the state’s highest court. He was a devoted husband, father and civic-minded neighbor. A raconteur who could spin a yarn like no one else.
Marietta pedestrians can now follow in his footsteps, literally. The Kennesaw Avenue bridge, his path from his home of 44 years to his church and the Marietta Square, was named for him on Saturday. Watch video of the event below.
“Kennesaw Avenue connected us to everything we did,” his widow, Helen Hines, said during the dedication. “Harris and I have walked, ridden and driven this bridge hundreds of times over the past years.”
Hines was 75 and recently retired as chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court when he died after a November car wreck. Then Gov. Nathan Deal spoke at his funeral, where mourners packing the Great Hall at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta included then Gov.-elect Brian Kemp, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, Attorney General Chris Carr and past and present members of the Georgia Supreme Court and local bench.
“Harris Hines was a man of integrity and loyalty,” Marietta Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin said Saturday. “When you were joyous, he would laugh with you. When you were down, he would cry with you.”
The dedication was held in the shade of magnolia trees in the church parking lot. Attendees included members of the City Council, Marietta City Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera, former Attorney General Sam Olens and former U.S. Rep. Buddy Darden, along with Hines’ family members and friends.
“Most of you know that Harris loved stories,” Helen Hines said. “You were lucky if you only heard his favorite ones two or three times. He also collected notable quotes, famous verses and poetry.”
One poem he liked was “The Bridge Builder” by Will Allen Dromgoole, dating to around 1900. She read the inspirational words to the crowd in closing.
“This is what Harris tried to do his entire life: connect people and leave things better and stronger in everything he was involved with,” she said. “Thank you for honoring him, our family and his legacy in this most special and meaningful way.”
About the Author
