Charles Lynn Harris, Sr. Obituary - Water Valley MS

Charles “Charlie” Lynn Harris, Sr., age 76, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at his home in Water Valley, MS. He was born in Water Valley on March 10, 1937 to the late Charles Gerald and Janie Ford Harris. After serving in the United States Navy he returned to Water Valley and was married to the love of his life, Betty Pass Harris. One weekend, Betty came home to visit her mother and family. During her visit, she struck eyes with Charles Lynn Harris in the local grocery store. He asked her on their first date to go to the Oxford Drive-In, where it was love at first sight. They knew they were meant for each other and six months later were married. After marriage, Charlie attended the Dallas Institute, College of Mortuary Science of Gupton-Jones where he received his degree in mortuary science. He began his career in the funeral industry with Water Valley Funeral Home, which later became Henry Funeral Home. For a short period of time Charlie left Henry Funeral Home to serve as a Mississippi Highway Patrolman in Tchula, MS, but was soon persuaded by his mentor, Hamrick Henry, to return to the funeral business. Later Charlie purchased Blu Buck Furniture and after numerous floods, relocated to the old Chittom building in Water Valley and changed the name to Harris Furniture and Appliance. In 1977 Charlie went back to work in the funeral business at Browning Funeral Home in Water Valley and remained there until it burned in 2001. In 2002, Browning was purchased by Seven Oaks Funeral Home where Charlie was manager and part owner until his retirement in 2008. He was a former Alderman for the city of Water Valley, serving with the police department and the department of parks and recreation and he was a member of the NRA. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting, traveling, watching westerns and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Charlie was a member of Ford’s Well Church of Christ.

Visitation will be from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Friday, March 22, 2013 at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley, MS. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 10:00 AM in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Bob Brewer officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley, MS with Charles Lynn Harris, Jr., Ashley Page, Jamie Davis, Eddie Magee, Billy Freed, Rickey Noland, Corey Voyles and John Pass serving as pallbearers.

He is survived by his daughter, Candice Harris Kidder (Glenn) of Baton Rouge, LA; his son, Charles Lynn Harris, Jr. of Hernando, MS; his brother, William “Bill” Harris (Betty) of Kendall Park, NJ; six grandchildren, Lacey Harris Noland (Rickey) of Ocean Springs, MS, Brittany Harris of Jackson, MS, Terri Lynn Harris of Starkville, MS, Harrison Kidder, Benjamin Glenn Kidder III, and Charlotte Betty Kidder all of Baton Rouge, LA.

In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Betty Pass Harris and a daughter, Martha Beth Harris.