Kenneth Lafayette Harris
Funeral services for Kenneth Lafayette Harris, 86, West Plains, will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 13, 2012 in the Rose Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Harris died 12:30 a.m., Monday, January 9, 2012 at West Vue Nursing Center. He was born May 8, 1925 at West Plains, Missouri to John Lafayette and Bessie Agnes Huddleston Harris. Mr. Harris attended the Lost Pond School and Thomasville High School and on January 28, 1947, was married at West Plains, Missouri to Dessie Irene Green who preceded him in death on March 5, 2008. He was a veteran having served with the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Harris fought in the Normandy and Rhineland Campaigns and earned two Bronze Stars, as well as the Purple Heart.
Mr. Harris lived in the same house since 1951 and was employed by the International Shoe Company for over forty years. He farmed and gardened at his home place and he and Dessie spent all of their extra time taking their children to ball games and activities. He taught his family to always live each and every day to the best of their ability and to be the best they could be to their family and friends. For over 62 years, Dessie was the love of his life and in their later years, the grandchildren were their biggest joy; they continued to share the bounty of their garden with friends and neighbors. Mr. Harris was a member of the Elk Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by three children, Charlie Harris, wife, Connie, Dennis Harris, wife, Sharon and Judy Judd, husband, Kenny; nine grandchildren, Cara Wertenberger, husband, Gary, Charla Blanks, husband, Ryan, Jodi Layman, husband, Tim, Darrin Harris, wife, Jennifer, Leslie Harris, Ashley Harris, Ashton Harris, Jeremy Judd, wife, Heather and Stan Judd, wife, Chloe; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, John Harris, wife, Darlis; two sisters, Margie Amyx and Norma Cooper; brother-in-law, Edwin Willard; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, wife, one infant son, Kenneth Dean Harris, his son, Kenneth Doyle Harris, and three sisters, Eunice Huddleston, Velma Walker and JoAnn Willard, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Elk Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Elk Creek Cemetery or the Elk Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.