Mae Lois Brim-Harris

The unforgettable moment in time was on July 30, 1938. It was then that Mae Lois Brim made her grand entrance into the world. Delivered by a midwife, Mrs. Josie Newburn in Manchester, she was the beloved daughter of Roy and Susie Lee Hogan Brim. The Brim and Hogan families played a key role in the development and shaping of her life.

Mae Lois accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a little girl. She was a life-long member of Piney Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church where she served as church secretary for over 30 years, a member of the steward board and a member of the senior choir. She worked with the Sunday School department under the strong leadership of Luther Jones and Zenobia Jones, as well as, serving as president of the Missionary Society for over 30 years. In 2017, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the 12th District African Methodist Episcopal Church Conference.   

She was a graduate of Peake High School. She worked several jobs including Neals Cleaners, Levis Strauss, Hospitality Care and lastly as a driver for CADC.  Mae Lois enjoyed mowing her grass and cooking. Her speciality was turnip greens and fried chicken. When she would say “I’m about to scald some greens” everyone knew it was going to be a pot of good turnips on the stove. She married Winfred Harris on March 18, 1961 and the Lord added to their family six healthy children. She was a loving and supportive mother who was without a doubt in charge. She gave wise advice and wished the best for all.

“Puddin’” as she was affectionately called served as president of the gospel group “New Edition.” In 1981, she organized the Brim, Bullock and Hogan Family Reunion. She believed in family and loved being together; she served as president of the reunion for 38 years. Within a span of eight amazing decades, this incredible woman found a way to leave an indelible mark on the life of every person she touched.

As her health declined she moved into Courtyard Gardens, where she won the hearts of both the administration and nursing staff. She transitioned peacefully on Thursday, June 13, 2019 with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Susie Lee Brim; her husband, Winfred Harris (January 24, 1988); three siblings, Roy “Boocat” Brim (December 15, 2018), Mary L. Brim (December 26, 2018) and Wardell Brim (February 15, 2019).

Puddin’ leaves a strong legacy of six children, Michael L. Brim, Sandra (Dennis) Johnson, Gearnis (Carl) Quarles, Carol Faye Harris, Bertha (John Thomas) McGhee, and Yvonne (Kendrick) Nolen all of Arkadelphia, AR; a family friend, Gretle Ollison of Arkadelphia, AR; seven grandchildren,  Brian (Cherron) Johnson, CJ (Shantira) Quarles,  Brandon (Amanda) Johnson, Sheri Quarles, Christopher Harris, Corey Hunter and Kentrell D. Nolen; eleven great-grandchildren, Brian Jacoby Johnson, Connor Brian Johnson, Kyler Hayes, Trey Quarles, Paris Quarles, Ka’Mora Johnson, Kaydi Johnson, Kendrick Hill, Iyonna Randall, Kyo Randall and Kaillah McGhee; five sisters, Shevie Quarles of Arkadelphia, Ella (Lavelle) Horn of Philadelphia, MA, Mary Ellen Harris of Arkadelphia, Margaret Brim Harris of Chicago, IL and Dorothy (Billy) Newborn of Arkadelphia; two brothers, Elijah Brim of Dallas, TX and Willie Brim of Houston, TX; two sisters-in-law, Loretta Brim of Chicago, IL, Bennie L. Nettles of Los Angeles, CA; three brothers-in-law, Billy Hunter of Sparkman, AR, Harold “Pap” Harris of Los Angeles, CA and Douglas (Doretha) Jones of Ft. Wayne, ID; aunts, Nadine Potts of Detroit, MI, Mae Louis Williams of Detroit, MI, Christine Wade of Troy, AL, Roxie Jean Brim of Tory, AL and Catherine Stovall of Detroit, MI; and an uncle, Emmett Brim of Detroit, MI; several nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, special cousin, Margarine Jackson; special friend, Ollie Mae Weaver, the SWD Conference Missionary Society and several friends.

Active pallbearers will be Brian Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Chris Harris, Carl Quarles, Jr., Corey Hunter, Joseph Newborn and Daniel DeLamar. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Jones, John Thomas McGhee, Carl Quarles, Dennis Johnson, Kendrick Nolen, Billy Newborn, Clifford DeLamar and Lavelle Horn, Jr. 

Public visitation will be from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday, June 21, 2019 with the family hour from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Piney Grove AME Church. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Piney Grove AME Church with Rev. C. O. Dansby, officiating and Rev. Willie Brim, eulogist. Interment will be at Piney Grove Cemetery.