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Joe Lee Harris, 53, of Monticello, AR, passed away Thursday, June 15, 2023, at UAMS in Little Rock, AR after a long battle with Leukemia that he fought as any true warrior would. He was born September 14, 1969, in Monticello, AR to the late James Edward Harris "Big Joe" and the Late Pearlie Mae Wainwright Harris. Joe Lee loved fishing, basketball, and watching old Western shows on TV. He grew to enjoy watching old westerns because he and his dad watched them together. He loved to mow yards. Before he became sick, he had his own lawn care business mowing several yards to help others. He married Shalanda Merritt Harris "Treece" at Mount Olive AME Church in Lacey, Arkansas and was a dedicated family man even through his battle with cancer. He worked for L&P, Akin Industries, and Maxwell Hardwood Flooring before his diagnosis made him retire.
Joe Lee is preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Linda Faye Colbert Merritt; grandfather, James D. Harris; grandmother, Kathleen Smith; grandparents, Horace and Maoler Wainright of Rison; great grandparents, John and Reoler Davis of Rison; three aunts, OreLee (GL) Langford and Hazel Wainwright both of Rison and Joyce Ann Handley of Pine Bluff; and one uncle, Willie Wainright of Rison; along with a host of other aunts and uncles.
Joe Lee is survived by his wife of 28 years, Shalanda PaTreece Merritt Harris of Monticello; children, Kevin Harris (D.J.) of Monticello, Marchello Woods, Jr. "M.J." of Little Rock, AR, and Shacora Harris "Cole" (Terrance) of Monticello; a granddaughter and the apple of his eye, Na'Koriyah N'Faye Wheeler of Monticello; brothers, James Harris (Shirley) of Bonaire, GA, Steve Harris and Richard Block, Sr. of Monticello; brothers-in-law, Antonio Merritt "Tony" and Keon Merritt both of Lacey; nieces, Re'Kena Block, Nariyah Walker, JaKayla Page, LaShundra “Moose” Anderson, and Maliah Riley; nephews, Kaleb Simpson, Richard Block, Jr., Rekevis Block, and Jayvion Page; great-niece, Ka'Mahri Lee; best friends, Robert Stamps whom he loved to play dominos with and Eddie Jones whom was his long-time friend, classmate and fishing buddy; as well as a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Joe Lee is preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Linda Faye Colbert Merritt; grandfather, James D. Harris; grandmother, Kathleen Smith; grandparents, Horace and Maoler Wainright of Rison; great grandparents, John and Reoler Davis of Rison; three aunts, OreLee (GL) Langford and Hazel Wainwright both of Rison and Joyce Ann Handley of Pine Bluff; and one uncle, Willie Wainright of Rison; along with a host of other aunts and uncles.
Joe Lee is survived by his wife of 28 years, Shalanda PaTreece Merritt Harris of Monticello; children, Kevin Harris (D.J.) of Monticello, Marchello Woods, Jr. "M.J." of Little Rock, AR, and Shacora Harris "Cole" (Terrance) of Monticello; a granddaughter and the apple of his eye, Na'Koriyah N'Faye Wheeler of Monticello; brothers, James Harris (Shirley) of Bonaire, GA, Steve Harris and Richard Block, Sr. of Monticello; brothers-in-law, Antonio Merritt "Tony" and Keon Merritt both of Lacey; nieces, Re'Kena Block, Nariyah Walker, JaKayla Page, LaShundra “Moose” Anderson, and Maliah Riley; nephews, Kaleb Simpson, Richard Block, Jr., Rekevis Block, and Jayvion Page; great-niece, Ka'Mahri Lee; best friends, Robert Stamps whom he loved to play dominos with and Eddie Jones whom was his long-time friend, classmate and fishing buddy; as well as a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.