Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ira Willie Harris

Ira Willie Harris Sr. of Pine Bluff died Friday, November 24, 2000.

Mr. Harris was born to Alonza Harris and Laura Hughes on October 17, 1915, at Crossett. A family of four, three siblings preceded him in death. He finished high school at Ashley County Training School. He was a member of St. John AME Church as he served in several capacities, including pro-tem of the trustee board, class leader, and as chairman of benevolence and evangelistic committee. He graduated from AM&N College (now UAPB) with a B.S. degree in vocational agriculture. His first job was an instructor at Clow Training School in Ozan. Along with his school assignments he ventured into the community where he organized the Clow Civic League and he was instrumental in economic development, especially in the agriculture field, where he began several programs for those in the area. He organized a voter registration drive that resulted in a 80% increase in the number of registered voters the first year.

Mr. Harris' second job was at Oak Grove High School in Rosston. There he served as vocational agriculture instructor from 1945 to 1975. His first move was to become a member of Bethel AME. After making a survey of the needs of the community he immediately formed the Oak Grove Civic League. Some of its accomplishments included organizing the Swine Producers Association. The Sears Roebuck Foundation donated two registered gilt pigs. From this program a nationwide program was developed. Seven counties in Arkansas also joined the association. As a result his project developed into a million-dollar enterprise. This project gained the attention of the U.S.D.A. and was used as a training station for government officials from 23 different foreign countries. Gov. Frank White appointed him to the State Council CETA. He was elected to the Nevada County board of education. He was selected as a Vista worker with the Swine Producers Association, and he was. appointed to the state board of higher education and became its vice president. He received one of the first volunteer state awards given by Channel 4 and the Governor's office. He was a charter board member of the Arkansas Land and Farm Development. A board member of the Pine Bluff Citizen Boys Club and a member of Partner For Better Pine Bluff. He was a former president of Family Community Development Corp.

Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Ersalene Harris of Pine Bluff, one son, Ira W. Harris Jr. of Pine Bluff, and a host of cousins and special friends.

Funeral services were Wednesday, Nov. 29, at St. John AME Church in Pine Bluff with Rev. Richard Allen Chappelle, Rev. T.G. Allen and Rev. W.R. Norful officiating. Burial was in Cedar Grove Section in Pine Bluff under the direction of Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.