Calvin Spencer Harris' Obituary
Calvin Spencer Harris, age 93, beloved husband and father, passed away on June 20, 2013. He was a devout Christian, a devoted husband, a father, a grandfather, and a great-grand father, a decorated War II veteran, a good citizen, and a good neighbor to all. Mr. Harris was a native of Henderson, TN, but he moved to the Bethel Grove area of Memphis at an early age. He attended Whitehaven High School and graduated in 1939. Prior to WWII, Mr. Harris was employed at Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Memphis, TN. In 1941, at the age of 21, he was drafted into the U. S. Army. He served a total of four years in the Army, three of which were in Europe. During his service, he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, E-6. He was a member of General George Patton’s famed “Hell on Wheels” 2nd Armored Division where he served as a crew sergeant for an M-4 Half-track armored vehicle. Mr. Harris’s European battles and campaigns included: Algeria-French Morocco, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, The Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes Military awards included: American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, and the Bronze Star. Mr. Harris’s Bronze Star was awarded in 1944 for bravery displayed in combat while saving the life of a wounded halftrack crewmember. Prior to being discharged after the war in 1945, because of his distinguished service, he was offered a promotion to 2nd Lieutenant to remain in the Army. However, with the war behind him, Mr. Harris chose civilian life instead. He returned to Memphis and married his longtime sweetheart, Alice McAlvain. They had two children: Janice Ann Harris and Joseph (Joe) Roland Harris. Mr. Harris also returned to work at Firestone and later achieved the position of warehouse supervisor. He retired from Firestone in 1975. In 1967, Mr. and Mrs. Harris moved from Memphis to Olive Branch where they built a new home on three acres. Mr. Harris’s favorite hobbies included gardening, caring for a 50 tree pecan grove, and golf. A lifetime Southern Baptist, he was a deacon at Lamar Heights Baptist Church in Memphis for many years. He was most recently a member of Gracewood Baptist Church in Southaven, MS. Mr. Harris is survived by his wife of 67 years, Alice McAlvain Harris; daughter, Janice Kennedy, of Nesbit, MS; and son, Joseph (Joe) Roland Harris, of Southaven, MS. On Sunday June 23, a visitation will be held from 2:00 until 3:00 and a memorial service will be held at 3:00 at Gracewood Baptist Church, 8851 Getwell Road, Southaven, MS. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, TN.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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