Cover photo for Merlin Harris's Obituary
Merlin Harris Profile Photo
1948 Merlin 2021

Merlin Harris

May 5, 1948 — June 25, 2021

Merlin Harris of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, June 25, 2021.

He was born on May 5, 1948, in Pisgah, Arkansas, the son of Lester Merlin Harris, Sr., and Mae Belle Hill Harris. On June 14, 1985, he was married to Vicki Kirksey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Roland Harris, and a sister Edith Bentrup Brantley.

He along with his wife, Vicki, were the owners/operators of Harris Siding Supply in North Little Rock up until his death.

He grew up in Delight, Arkansas, and graduated from Delight High School in 1966. His family opened Pinky’s Dairy Queen in 1957 and he was known to “always” have an ice cream cone in hand.

He developed a love for music at an early age. Around the age of seven or eight, he along with his sisters and mother started a quartet and traveled around to community singings and this lasted through his early teen years. At the age of 16, he learned to play the piano, organ and a few years later the saxophone. Over the years, he enjoyed playing and singing in multiple bands around the state.

Merlin ran the Gulf Station and had a wrecker service in Delight, a Muffler shop in Arkadelphia and in addition to several other business ventures.

He thoroughly enjoyed the companionship of his wife, along with boating, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki Harris of Little Rock; his son and daughter-in-law, Kelly and Misty Harris of Arkadelphia; his daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Paul White of Arkadelphia; his grandchildren, Allie and Hayden Harris, Kyle, Karson, KaraFaye White; his sister, Floy (Tommy) Lamb of Delight; his brother, Kenny (Alice) Harris of Mississippi; plus, many other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in the Free Hill Cemetery with Bro. Tim Jordan officiating.

You are invited to a celebration of life on Tuesday, 12:00 Noon, at Slim & Shorty’s in Arkadelphia.

Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Free Hill Cemetery Association, % Richard Knight, PO Box 126, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923.

Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Merlin Harris, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Graveside

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

10:00 - 10:00 am

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