Charles Eugene Harris was born April 28, 1930 to the late Orangie Brown and to the late Charlie Edward (Pigmeat Charlie) Harris. Through his childhood, he was raised by Mabel P. Sanders. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, LaVerne Tatum Smith, and his loving wife of 55 years, Hattie Pearl Harris.
He confessed his faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and has been a member of Olive Light AME Church in Smackover, Arkansas since the age of five.
Charles has always been a hard worker, and at the age of seven, he would gather up wood kindling in his little red wagon which was called “The Red Rider” and he would sell firewood from it. At the age of 12, he was so persistent in working at the American Café until the late owner, Ms. Cleo Burns, hired him so he would stop asking her for a job. She put him to work in the kitchen. Charles was too small to wash the dishes out of the dish tub, so Ms. Burns stacked up Coke cases so he could reach down in the dish tub. After having worked there for a number of years, he left the American Café and began shining shoes at the Smackover Barber Shop. He would often be teased by Eddie Kendricks hit song, “The Shoeshine Boy.” While working at the Smackover Barber Shop, Charles also worked at the Joy Theater. He started selling refreshments and then got promoted to Film Operator. It was there at the Joy Theater where Charles met the love of his life, Hattie Pearl Smith. They later married and remained so for 55 years. Only her death separated the two.
He left the theater and the barber shop and began working at Union Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, Arkansas. Charles was one of the first workers at Union Memorial Hospital. He is noted as having done a great job there until the El Dorado News-Times published his picture buffing the floor, as the hospital was getting ready for the grand opening in 1961. He later left the hospital and was employed at Dixie Maintenance Service in El Dorado, where he maintained the upkeep of the floors at various offices and facilities. As Charles worked for Dixie Maintenance, he began to have a vision that he could make more money working for himself. After praying and carefully considering his vision, Charles resigned from Dixie Maintenance, talked his beloved wife into quitting working in private homes, and together they became the sole owners of Harris Custodian Service on October 1, 1971. As a company logo, Charles selected a depiction of a little man running with a mop and a broom. His slogan, “Running to Serve You” was displayed on his trucks. Also, Charles had a sign made that he put in the rear window of his truck that said, “I Fight Poverty, I Work.”
Mr. Harris’ first contract was with Carroum Dry Goods in Smackover. His business began to blossom out into surrounding areas of El Dorado, Camden, Louann, Junction City, and Huttig. Through the years, he had a number of employees who worked for his company.
Not only was he a faithful, dedicated worker in his business, he was equally passionate about God’s business as a church member. Throughout the years at Olive Light AME Church, Charles would provide lilies at Easter, poinsettias at Christmas, and mums for each member of the church.
In April 2013, Charles received a Living Legend Award, presented by the members of Olive Light AME Church and then Representative John Baine. Once again in May 2018, he received an award at Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, Arkansas, at the 12th Episcopal District Banquet for being the longest serving member of Olive Light AME Church. Charles has been a member of Olive Light AME Church for 83 years.
In his spare time, Charles enjoyed gardening, growing vegetables such as collards, onions, and cabbage. He was a blessing to friends and neighbors in the community by giving them fresh produce from his garden. He loved to ride his gravely during mowing season, keeping his pasture neatly cut. He had an affinity for keeping his rose garden watered. He also loved watching Lawrence Welk on Saturday evenings as well as old western movies.
Charles leaves to cherish his precious memories, his daughter, Charlene Harris, of Smackover, Arkansas; one step-daughter, Lessie Richardson, of El Dorado, Arkansas; one brother-in-law, Jimmy Lee (Jimmy Dale) Smith, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; two sisters-in-law, Helen Joyce Calloway, of San Antonio, Texas and Maxine (Clifton) Lowery, of El Dorado, Arkansas; two grandchildren, Dr. Charles R. Richardson, Jr. (Evette), of Murieta, California, and Sherry Richardson Brown (Ron), of Springdale, Arkansas; three nephews, Willie Smith, Jr., of Modesto, California, Gregory Smith, and Pierre Smith, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; one niece, Gwendolyn Smith O’Neil (Edward), of Greenwood, Indiana; a special cousin, Nolan Gene Jackson (Tina), of Springdale, Louisiana; four great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.
Funeral service for Charles Harris will be Friday, April 12 at Olive Light AME Church, Smackover, Arkansas at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow immediately in Hicks Cemetery, Smackover, Arkansas. A reception celebrating the life of Charles Eugene Harris will be held at 201 West 7th St., First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Smackover, immediately following the interment. Public visitation will be held at Andrews Funeral Home on Thursday, April 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The service is entrusted to the care of Andrews Funeral Home.