of Maumelle, AR

December 9, 1917 - June 30, 2017

Lawrence Harris of Maumelle died peacefully in his sleep Friday morning, June 30, 2017. He was the son of Clifton and Eva Harris and was born on December 9, 1917 near Prescott, Arkansas.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister, Florence; his younger brother and sister, Watson Harris of Murfreesboro and Launa Mae Goble of Fortville, Indiana; and his half-sister, Irene Bolt of McCaskill. His father died when he was 12 just as the depression was starting. He had to quit school and go to work at a lumber mill to help make ends meet. He spent two years during the depression in the Civilian Conservation Corps near Friendship, Arkansas. At age 21, he joined the Arkansas National Guard. That year he also married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy Swindell of Prescott. They remained faithful to each other until her death in 2004. His guard unit was federalized in 1940 and was sent to Annette Island, Alaska. When war with Japan broke out in 1941, Lawrence and thousands of other soldiers were on the island waiting for an attack that never came. In 1944, Lawrence was transferred to Fort McClellan, Alabama, where he was a drill instructor for the remainder of the war. Dorothy joined him there and a son, Larry, was born in Anniston, Alabama in 1945. They moved back to Arkansas in late 1945 settling in Little Rock where Lawrence became a grocer. Mike was born in 1947. Lawrence and Dorothy (Dottie) were wonderful parents and eventually grandparents and great-grandparents. They attended the Sixth and Izard church of Christ (now the Windsong Church of Christ) and brought their family up to love the Lord. Their home was a refuge for nieces and nephews who needed shelter from difficult events. They lived out their lives the way God wants all of us to. Lawrence didn't quite make it to 100, but now he has an eternity. We are grateful to the staff of Elmcroft Assisted Living for the care they gave these last two years.

He is survived by Larry and Carolyn Harris of Memphis; Mike and Becky Harris of Maumelle; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren. To them, he was Gramp or Pawpaw. He was the kindest gentlest man I have ever known. Dad, as Don McLean said in a song, ''This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.''

Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 3, 2017 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211, (501)224-8300. The family will receive friends from 3:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 2, 2017 at the funeral home.

Memorials in Lawrence's honor may be made to Arpana House, Attention: Chris Harris, 3061 Ole Bartlett Court, Bartlett, TN 38134. This charity is a safehaven for abandoned girls in India.

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