Rufus Harris Sr.

Published 6:07 pm Monday, October 29, 2012

Rufus Harris Sr., 85, of Norman Park, died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, at his residence.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The Rev. Greg White will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Roger Mays and the Rev. Terrell Carter. Burial will follow in the Sandy Ridge Cemetery in Crosland, Ga., with the repast to be concluded at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. James Harris, Rufus Harris Jr., Calvin Leonard Jr., James Dunbar, kelvin Lawson and Jimmy Davis will serve as pallbearers. Cedric Harris will serve as honorary pallbearer.

He was born on April 11, 1927, in Colquitt County, Ga., to the late Will “Big Boy” Harris and the late Elnora Joiner Harris.

“He was the oldest child and was always considered a role model by his family,” his family remarked of him.

He received his education in the Colquitt County School System. Always a strong proponent of education, he was the driving force behind the educational pursuits of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was drafted into the United States Army during World War II, where he served honorably until the end of the war. His family said that he was always proud of and spoke of his service in the heralded “Red Ball Express,” which was created by the United States and other allied forces to supply units moving across Europe after the D-Day invasion of Normandy France. The unit’s success was featured in the 1952 movie “Red Ball Express.”

“Always a hard worker and provider for his family, Rufus had several occupations including working on a farm, working as a truck driver and ended his working career when he retired from the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga.,” said his family.

For many years he supplemented his family’s income by running a vegetable and cattle farm.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Donald Harris; two sisters, Mary Lee Temple and Addie Lee Toomer; and a brother, Eddie “Buster” Harris.

Survivors include his loving and dedicated wife of 63 years, Louetta Tyson Harris of Crosland, Ga.; two sons, Rufus Harris Jr. and James Harris, both of Crosland, Ga; three daughters, Mildred Lawson and husband Harrell of Stone Mountain, Ga. and Sparta, Ga., Alice Lunsford of Norman Park, and Sandra Davis and husband Jimmy of Crosland, Ga.; one sister, Fannie H. Brinson of Norman Park; one brother, Alonzo Harris of Moultrie; two brothers-in-law, William G. Tyson of Chester, Pa., and Henry Tyson of Toledo, Ohio; three sisters-in-law, Ruthie Mae Brooks of Riveria Beach, Fla., Thelma Brooks of Moultrie, and Bessie Hunt of Fort Pierce, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Tamiko Lunsford, Kala Leonard and Tiffanie Young, all of Norman Park, Cedric Harris of Lenox, Ga., Kimberlee Lawson of Sandy Springs, Ga., Jammie Harris  and wife Jessica of Woodland Hills, Calif., Kelvin Lawson of Lithonia, Ga., Kristin Harris of Villa Rica, Ga., and Janee Brown of Omega, Ga.; seven great-grandchildren, Olivia, Zachary, Caitlin, Ja’cory, Emirsyn, Braylen, and Aaliyah; a special cousin, Eva Mae Yates of Moultrie; a special niece, Brenda Joyner of Moultrie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to Luke Strong And Son Mortuary, Ltd.

Please leave condolences to the family at www.moultrieobserver.com.