Lela Joyce Harris

Lela Joyce Harris, 84, of Marianna, died November 28, 2022 in Marianna. On November 29, 1937, she was born first of four children to Earnest “Pete” Vondran and Virgie DeLois Vondran. The Vondrans made their home in the Mt. Jerdan area of Moro.

Joyce graduated from Moro High School in 1955 and soon after married the love of her life, Ray Harris. Ray and Joyce added three strapping sons to their family. “The Boys”, as she affectionately called them, kept her on her toes with baseball, Boy Scouts and fast cars. Joyce was a faithful member of the Gospel of Peace Tabernacle in North Little Rock until the last few years when Parkinson took her leg strength. She loved singing with her family and with her church. She had a wonderful alto voice. Joyce was also a great song writer. She penned many praises about her Lord and Christian Walk.

Joyce or Momma Jo, as she was referred to by her grandchildren, had a wonderful hobby of flea marketing. She opened and ran one at her home for 28 years. She absolutely loved the world of yard selling. Many a day she was gone by 6 a.m. to be the first one at her list of sales that day with Anna and Logan and Aunt Margie tagging along. If she wasn’t at “the market”, you could find her down on Big Creek, her favorite fishing hole. A lot of fun memories were made with some of her grandkids down on the creek. Joyce loved life and loved sharing that joy with others. She also had a song in her heart and lips.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband. Survivors are her sons, Rocky Harris (Mary) of Benton, Alan Harris (Melody) of Brinkley and Pat Harris (Paula) of Moro; a sister, Margie Brewer of Palestine; two brothers, Caryles Vondran (Wanda) of Greenbrier and Randy Vondran (Pam) of Searcy; grandchildren, Bradley Harris (Bobby Hill), Logan “Petey” Harris (Jamie), Anna Davison (Kevin), Alan Harris, Jr. (Darrian), Angela Harris, and Erica Rhodes; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were Thursday, December 1, 2022 at Prospect Cemetery in Moro with Brother Cain Wheeler officiating. Pallbearers were Alan Harris Jr., Logan Harris, Kevin Davison, Bobby Hill, Larry Harris, Anthony Vondran and Faron Hamilton. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Prospect Cemetery, 2216 Hwy. 261 So., Moro, AR 72368.