Charlie Lewis Harris

On May 25, 1960, a beautiful bouncing baby boy was born to Jack Harris and Corine Miller-Harris. They named this bundle of joy Charlie Lewis-Harris.  As a child, he was always fun-loving and a joy to be around.  He was known to many of his family and close friends as “Tuna.”  He would often gather with a group of friends and relatives on Sunday afternoons and go to the park to play baseball.  “Tuna” had a calm demeanor and was loved by all who knew him.  He always wanted to make sure those around him were happy.

Charlie grew up in a fun-loving family in the community of Memphis Heights with his dutiful and protective grandmother, Lizzie Landers Samuels.

Charlie accepted Christ at an early age.  He was a faithful member of Little Bethel Baptist Church, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Leon Miller, Jr.  Here, Charlie learned to work for Christ in whatever capacity needed.  While at Little Bethel Baptist Church, he served dutifully as a deacon until 1994.

In March of 1994, he united with the Greater Paradise Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Dr. Edgar Allen Porchia; he was later ordained as a deacon.  He served in several different capacities, which he performed dutifully.  He was also a trustee, youth superintendent of Evangel-Wit Sunday School, General Superintendent of Evangel-Wit, a layman, served on the finance committee, and was janitor until his health began to fail.

In 1990, Charlie met Elnora R. Hall, the lady who would later fulfill his dreams.  In 1992, they re-met at a musical at Little Bethel Baptist Church, Charlie’s home church.  This is the young lady he had his sights set on and who he wanted to become his wife.  This was the beginning of a journey that would last until God called him home.  In June 1992, they made their relationship official.  September 13, 1992, he asked her to become his wife and her daughter to become his daughter. She gladly accepted his proposal, but because he knew she needed to prepare for their wedding, they did not get married until January 22, 1994.

They became friends and shared many of the same values and beliefs in Christ. They were equally yoked.  At this time, not only did Charlie become a husband, but also a father.   Charlie loved these two unconditionally.  He worked hard to make sure their every need and many desires were met.  In 2011, his biggest dream became real when his granddaughter, Va’Niah, was born.

Charlie obtained his education in the El Dorado School District and was a member of the class of 1978.  He was employed with Dixie Maintenance for 23 years.  He also worked with Milam Construction for 11 years in various capacities, including working at Great Lakes – South Plant and Clean Harbor until his health began to fail.

Charlie loved all kinds of sports, but his favorites were football and wrestling.

He also loved being around children, laughing, and just enjoying life with family and friends.

Charlie was proceeded in death by his grandmother (mother) Lizzie Landers-Samuels, maternal grandfather Leon Miller Sr., Johnny Samuels his parents, Corine Miller-Harris Johnson and Jack Harris, Wilfred Johnson and, special Aunt Mae Ruth Mason and uncles Robert Mason and Jessie Samuels Sr., Raymond Carter, and God-daughter Chesnie Hall. 

Charlie’s life journey ended on September 7, 2021.

He leaves to cherish precious memories, his wife, Elnora Harris; daughter Megan Hall; granddaughters, Va’Niah Dawson and Reign Jackson; special daughter Oceana Thurman; special granddaughter, Ereannia Thurman; brother, Willie C. (Georgie) Harris of Joliet, IL, special brother, David Hall, El Dorado, AR, sister, Claudia Stevenson, El Dorado, AR, God-daughter, Channing Hall of Conway, AR, two special uncles, Willie B. Miller, and Leon Miller Jr., father-in-law, Jerry D. Rainey, special cousins, Betty Wade (Casey), Deborah Norful (Dennis), Jessie Samuels (Linda) and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members and loved ones.