Charlie Frank Harris

Funeral services for Charlie Frank Harris, 96, of Musella will be held Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 2:30 pm at his church, Musella Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Roberta City Cemetery. Charlie passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. He was the 5th child of a large family of 10 children, with 4 brothers and 5 sisters. He was born into a hard-working family who grew up working the land. They loved each other and supported each other's efforts all their lives. He and his wife shared 72 years of marriage and set an example of a devoted partnership to their children and many others. They shared work on a farm, projects with their children, and served their church together in all capacities. Charlie was a dedicated family man who adored his wife, his three sons, their spouses, and the grand- and great-grandchildren. He was never happier than when the children were there to visit. He was a man who dedicated his life to agriculture, his family and his abundant faith. Charlie was a servant leader in Crawford County and around the state of Georgia. He served on many boards and held leadership roles in most of them over the years. He never served just as a figure-head, he was a true worker with feet on the ground and hands-on involvement in every project. Charlie never expected recognition and modeled true humility and a humble heart to all. Over the years he started work on a Registered Polled Hereford farm for 5 years before he joined his father-in-law on a dairy farm for forty years. After his retirement from the dairy, he continued to raise beef cows until recent years. Another love of his was his garden. He grew beans, peas, squash, peppers, okra, and yet was mostly known for his vine ripened tomatoes. His fruit trees included grapes, plums, pears, figs, pomegranates and apples. Many fruits and vegetables were enjoyed by his familybut he never hesitated to share with friends and people in his community. He enjoyed participating in Farm Days at the elementary school and teaching children about living and working on a farm. He and Betty enjoyed traveling and actually visited every state in the United States, except Alaska, with their chartered group bus trips. He served as President for one year and Treasurer for 60 years of Crawford County Farm Bureau and received the Distinguished Service Award at the state level in 2005. The Farm Bureau Livestock Barn in Roberta was changed to the C F Harris Livestock Barn where many county and area shows have been held. Charlie served as Supervisor of the Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation Committee for 47 years. He was awarded the Georgia Agriculture Centennial Family Farm Award in 2021. He also served on the Crawford County Board of Education for 18 years. Charlie became a member of Musella Baptist Church in 1949 and served as a Deacon for 73 years. He was Chairman for a number of those years. He also taught the Senior Adult Sunday School for many years. Because of his love and interest in the church, he compiled a church history that encompassed 128 years titled Ceres Musella Baptist Church. Another one of his dedications and ministries was to build wheelchair ramps for those in need. Beginning as a service project through Modern Woodmen of America, he continued this outreach with the church and built approximately 50 ramps over the years and as a result, countless lives were made easier as part of this service.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty Bennett Harris, 3 sons, Frankie (Rhonda) of Musella, Edd (Leigh Devereaux) of Musella, and Steve (Tracie) also of Musella, GA. Sisters Ann (Charlie) Gillespie of Athens, GA and Nancy (Carl) Sneathen of Atlanta, GA and beloved nephew Chris Harris of Atlanta, GA. Sisters-in-law Allene Harris of Athens, GA and Evelyn Harris of Forsyth, GA. Five grandchildren, Edward Harris of Musella, GA, Calder (Nicki) Harris of Old Hickory, TN, and Nate (Alex) Harris of Forsyth, GA, Sara (Matthew) Weekley of Forsyth, GA, and Jonathan (Stephanie) Harris of Musella, GA and six beautiful great grandchildren. We would like to recognize his wonderful sitters who cared for him over the last couple of months: Leigh Devereaux, Jennifer Peele, Laverne Prater, Akira Lockett, and Demetris Lockett as well as Pine Pointe Hospice.

Visitation will be held at McLeighton Funeral Home, Roberta on Saturday, September 6 from 5 – 7 pm and at Musella Baptist Church, September 7 from 1:30 – 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Musella Baptist Church PO Box 56 Musella, GA 31066.