of North Little Rock, AR
September 13, 1950 - July 3, 2024
Linda "Kay" Harris, 73, of North Little Rock passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Kay was born September 13, 1950 to the late Dean "Mack" Rutledge and Lorene Sheffer Rutledge of Batesville. She and her siblings were raised on a farm on "Huff Hill" in Batesville. She attended Pleasant Plains School, where she played basketball and was affectionately called "George" by her classmates. She later attended the University of Central Arkansas, where she graduated in 1972 and became a math teacher, teaching math at several schools until her retirement in 2006.
Kay married Freeman Burnell "Burnie" Harris, Jr. on June 18, 1983 and they enjoyed 22 years together until his death in 2005. Burnie served in the United States Air Force and together they lived in Vacaville, CA, Washington, D.C., Ankara, Turkey, Bunker Hill, IN and North Little Rock, AR. Kay was a dedicated wife to Burnie and mother to their children, Patrick, Chassie and David and loved her grandchildren, Taylor, Madison and Trinnity.
Kay accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior when she was a child and was a longtime and active member of Central Baptist Church of North Little Rock. She enjoyed traveling, knitting, cross-stitching, bowling, reading, working puzzles and caring for her cats.
Kay is survived by her two sons, Patrick Harris and his wife, Jasmine Harris of San Francisco, CA and David Harris of North Little Rock, AR; her daughter, Chassie Kirby and her husband, Robert Kirby of Springdale, AR; sisters, Elaine Beaver and her husband, Harold Beaver of Rogers, AR and Alice Clark of Batesville, AR; her brother, Jerry Rutledge and his wife, Linda Rutledge of Batesville, AR; sister-in-law, Shirley Grigsby of Cave City, AR; grandchildren, Taylor Kirby of Ozark, AR, Madison Kirby of Canton, OH and Trinnity Harris of Antioch, TN; as well as a host of nieces and nephews whom she cherished with all her heart. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Lorene Rutledge and her husband Burnie.
Friends and family will gather on Tuesday July 16, 2024 at 10:30 am at Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock to celebrate Kay's life and share memories together with a service following at 11:30 am. Interment will be at Arkansas State Veterans' Cemetery at
1:00 pm following services.
Memorials may be made to the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Society, the American Cancer Society, or Central Baptist Church of North Little Rock.
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10 Condolence(s)
Pat Short
Friday, July 19, 2024
I am so saddened to learn of the passing of my precious friend Kay. We were teachers together but mostly we were friends who loved to share laughs and memories. God gained an angel.
Lynn & Cyndy Harrell
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Thankful for our dear neighbor of 23 years. Kay was famous for making us a wonderful cake and we appreciated her smile and kindnesses. We will miss her. Sending our condolences to you and your family.
Nathan Grant
Friday, July 12, 2024
Larry Kemble
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
You will be missed and fondly remembered.
Harold Beaver
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
To Alice and Jerry, as well as Chassie, Patrick, and David - I dearly love all of my in-laws, but am surely gonna miss this blue eyed sister-in-law of mine so very much. I always enjoyed visiting with her, both in person and on the phone, sometimes exchanging good natured ‘jabs’, both ways. I will always remember our last phone call Tuesday evening about 9:15 when we talked for about 15 minutes. We reminisced about lots of things and enjoyed a few laughs. As I recall, her final earthly words to me as she ended the call were “I love you, bye bye”.
Kay, your siblings and I will see you ‘on the other side’ someday yonder.
Jean Burns
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
To all of Kay’s family: I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. I pray for your peace and comfort during this most difficult time.
Zelda Ray
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Ashley Williams
Monday, July 8, 2024
You will be remembered
Tami Dickerson
Monday, July 8, 2024
I am at a loss for words. This truly broke my heart to hear of the passing of my eighth and ninth grade, math, teacher, and volleyball coach Kay Harris-Rutledge. You were very instrumental in me becoming an educator. I am truly going to miss you my friend My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
R.I.P. Kay
Shelia Emmert
Saturday, July 6, 2024
I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs . Kay . She was a good friend to me and a great mentor to my sister Susan . David , contact me if there's anything I can do .