Obituary: Cleother (Cleo) Harris

Cleother Harris passed away on Wednesday May 21, 2025.  He was born January 4, 1953, to the late Herman and Cressie Harris.

His funeral service was held on Saturday May 31, 2025 at 12:00 noon at Johnson Chapel CME Church with Reverend Nathan Gibbs in charge.  Burial was in the church cemetery and Dixie Funeral Home www.dixiefuneralhome.com was in charge of the professional service.

Cleo, as he was affectionately known, was educated in the Hardeman County School System.

He professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was active in church until his health began to decline.

He was a member of the Golden Grain Good Shepard Lodge No. 52.

In 1993, Cleo returned to Tennessee after spending 20 years in New York. Cleo enjoyed studying and talking about scriptures with anyone who was willing to talk with him. Cleo was a well-loved neighborhood auto mechanic, and he happily shared his gift for repairing things for everyone. Even when his health began to fail, he continued to advise and help anyone in need. Cleo was a kind-hearted, joyful man who had a special gift for making people smile and laugh. He truly embraced the idea that laughter is medicine for the soul.

Cleo leaves to cherish his memory: three sons, Avery Harris, Darryl Oliver, and Cleother Oliver, Jr. He also leaves one sister and five brothers: Ruby Jean Reed, Rufus Harris, Fredell Harris (Lois), John L. Harris (Sherika), William Harris (Darphy), and John D. Harris. Cleo leaves a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-nieces, great-nephews, and several faithful friends. His parents, one sister, Rose Oliver, and two brothers, Willie B. Sails and Henry Lee Harris, preceded him in death along with all his uncles, aunts, and two nieces