Harley Edward Harris Sr., 87, of Patterson, passed away early Friday morning, September 15, 2023, at Harborview Satilla in Waycross, following an extended illness.
Born March 17, 1936, in Patterson, he was a son of the late James Allen and Emmaline Godwin Harris. Living most of his life in Pierce County, he was a 1954 graduate of Patterson High School and was a veteran, serving in the United States Army from 1959-1961. He then returned home where he was the owner and operator of Harris Electrical and Refrigeration before working as an electrician for Gilman Building Products.
He was a faithful member of Laura Chapel Baptist Church and had served many years as the teacher of the Senior Adult Sunday School Class.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Juanita Smiley and Jewellee Thomas and four brothers, Virgil Harris, Clyde Harris, Raymond Harris and Bufford Harris.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Annetta “Ann” Bandy Harris, Patterson; three children, Allen (wife Merry), Blackshear, Doree Harris Murray (husband Ashley), Grimes, Iowa and Edward Harris (wife Avis, Patterson; nine grandchildren, Benjamin (Robyn) Harris, Tom (Stacey) Harris, Joshua (Emily) Murray, Hannah (Loic) Dupin, Sam (Ashley Nicole) Murray, Adam (Ashley Anna) Murray, Emmalee Murray, Aaron (Rebekah) Harris and Dorcas Harris; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Tootsie Cowan (husband Gene), Patterson; two sisters-in-law, Faye Harris and Virginia Harris, both of Patterson and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Laura Chapel Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, from the Laura Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Daniel Harris officiating.
Interment will follow in the Laura Chapel Cemetery.
The family requests that the Laura Chapel Senior Adult Sunday School Class, the Senior Ladies Sunday School Class, Terry and Mary Nell Herrin, Steve and Gail Crump and Terry and Dale Walker serve as honorary pallbearers. Please be at the church by 2:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pioneer Bible Translations, www.pioneerbible.org/aaronandrebekahharris or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
