Dr. Rayford James Harris

Dr. Rayford James Harris went to be with his Lord on Saturday, July 20, 2024. He was born in Pineville, Mississippi on February 24, 1938, to Hudson James Harris and Neva Roberts Harris. He had one brother Rex Harris. Rayford was preceded in death by his parents and brother. Rayford married Tommie Lee Dixon on March 17, 1962. They were married 56 years before she passed away in 2019. They have five children, Jeff Harris, Millicent Harris Fleming (Tim), Chad Harris (Stephanie), Shanalyn Harris Allen (Brandon), and Lance Harris (Nicole). He also has eight grandchildren, Bailey Fleming Poling (Ryan), Maddie Fleming, Hudson and Colson Harris, Olivia and Ethan Allen, Amelie, and Roan Harris, and one great-grandson, Harrison Poling. Rayford was an active member of Kingston United Methodist Church. He attended Shady Grove School in Laurel and graduated from Jones County Agricultural High School in Ellisville, Mississippi. He then attended Jones County Junior College and Mississippi State University where he earned a degree in geology. He served his country as a medic in the Air Force Reserve and worked for the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in Virginia. Dr. Harris worked at NASA in Huntsville, Alabama, and at Stennis Space Center in Picayune, Mississippi, before attending Dental School at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Dr. Harris graduated in December of 1972 with his Doctorate of Dental Surgery and practiced dentistry in Laurel, Mississippi, for over 40 years. Dr. Harris was involved in Toastmasters, Rotary Club of Laurel, and a past president of the Mississippi Academy of General Dentistry. His hobby was dentistry. He loved attending educational meetings, and he dearly loved his patients. He provided dental services as a missionary to Honduras and Nicaragua for 25 years. He had a gift for recalling the names of his patients and dates of specific events. His smile and kindness would fill the room. Dr. Harris loved to spend time with his family. Affectionately known as “Papaw” to his grandchildren, he did not miss a baseball game, dance recital, or play. Dr. Harris loved doing for others and getting to know everyone he met. His family would like to thank his faithful caregivers, Debbie Tyree, Carla Madden, and Nina Burnham. Dr. Harris loved them dearly. In lieu of flowers, please honor Dr. Rayford Harris with gifts to the Baptist Medical & Dental Mission International (11 Plaza Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39402) or the Gideons International (PO Box 1504 Laurel, MS 39441). Visitation will take place Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with the Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. at Memory Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel, Mississippi. The interment will be held at Lake Park Hills Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi. Reverend Mark Covington will officiate. Pallbearers will be Hudson Harris, Colson Harris, Dr. Tim Fleming, Dr. Brandon Allen, Dr. Ryan Poling and Bryant Raby. Honorary Pallbearers are Jon Harris Carter, Ethan Allen, Roan Harris, Dr. Tony Bounds, and Dr. Brent Culpepper. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Dr. Rayford James Harris

February 24, 1938 - July 20, 2024