Vivian Marie Harris

Vivian Marie Williams Harris

“THE LIBRARIAN”

Vivian was born November 21, 1932, in Clark County, Arkadelphia, Arkansas to Cody Leon and Lizzie Mary Holmes Williams. They also had a son, Karl Frederick who preceded them and his sister in death on November 8, 1942.

Vivian attended elementary school in Smithton, Arkansas under the tutelage of her parents. She finished Smithton Elementary in the eighth grade. She attended and finished high school at Peake High School in Arkadelphia. She later attended and graduated from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas (1955), where she was a member of the Vesper Choir.

Her education was interrupted by teaching in a split session school in Wilson, Arkansas. She attended Henderson State College, now Henderson State University, where she earned a master’s degree in English.

She started full time teaching seventh and eight grade English at Bell High School in Gurdon, Arkansas. Later, the school was changed to Gurdon Middle School where she worked as “The Librarian” until her retirement.

Vivian’s first marriage was to Martin Van Buren Hudson. They were the parents of two daughters, Karlean Denise and Yeva Michele. Her second marriage was to Lawrence Odell Harris. They were the parents of one daughter, Donna Paulette.

She was a member of (GEA) Gurdon Education Association, (AEA) Arkansas Education Association, and (NEA) National Education Association. She was also a member of the Minority Affairs Caucus and the NAACP.

She was a member of Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church having served as the assistant teacher of the Ladies Class, the culinary committee, assistant director of the Usher Board, trustee, WMU president, superintendent in the lower auditorium, she served as youth director for several years and proudly taught the youth of Greater Pleasant Hill public speaking and was a member of the sanctuary choir under the direction of Dr. and Mrs. K. G. Harris. She organized and set-up the Irene Ware Children’s Library and the Daisy Ross Adult Library both at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

She served the Southwest District Association as secretary of Section One for several years, president of the WMU for one year, and a member of the Section One A Division Choir, as well as, teaching public speaking in the Southwest District Congress.

Vivian loved children and worked with children under the direction of Mrs. Linda Harris at the Hours of Joy Daycare Center. She later transferred to Sparkman, Arkansas to the Sparkman Learning Center under the direction of Mrs. Patricia Whitaker. After five years, she worked at Happy Land Childcare Center under the direction of Mrs. Jackie Mitchell Craig.

Vivian’s father was a graduate Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and her greatest desire was to see the furniture made by him while a student there on exhibit.

On Saturday, June 15, 2019 Vivian transitioned from this life leaving an indelible mark of faithful service in the cause of educating the youth. She believed there is no greater responsibility than the proper upbringing of children. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence and daughter, Yeva Michele.

Those left to relish her memory are: two daughters, Karlean Green of Little Rock, AR and Donna (Gene) Whitaker of Sparkman, AR; bonus children, Alvernon Rogers of Bryant, AR, Carolyn Harris, Lawrence O. Harris and Toni Harris-Patterson all of Arkadelphia, AR. She also leaves six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; two special and dear friends, Rosie Gill and Kaye Newborn, as well as, other friends and the Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church family.

Public viewing will be Friday, June 21, 2019 from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. A service honoring her life will be shared at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., eulogist. Interment will be at Helms Cemetery under the direction of Williams Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Colby Whitaker, Carlos Whitaker, Kendall Quarles, Michael Barnes, Olivier Smith Terrance Novell and Bradley Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers will be Toby Harris, Karon Ridgell, Keith Green, Derrick Perry and Lawrence Harris, Jr.