Obituary of Richard Harris Jr.

Richard Harris Jr., 83, of Chelsea, AL passed away on Sunday, September 03, 2023. His family will receive friends at Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega on Thursday, September 07, 2023 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. A funeral ceremony will be held in his honor at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, September 08, 2023 at Hepzibah Baptist Church with Mickey Caldwell and Cary Baker officiating. He will be laid to rest directly after the ceremony in Hepzibah Baptist Church Cemetery next to his wife of 47 years, Cynthia Harris. Mr. Harris was a native of Talladega, AL but was a resident of Shelby County where he made Chelsea his home. He served as a member of the Alabama National Guard. He was a former employee of Synoflex and later became employed at Specification Rubber Products in Alabaster, AL. Mr. Harris eventually started his own business which at one point included eight gas stations and one clothing store, but he finally settled on one location. He operated his convenience store, wrecker service, and automotive repair business on Highland Avenue in Birmingham for over 32 years. Richard continued his hard work all the way through his final days. He spent the last two years working at his son’s business, Harris Automotive, in Irondale where he made many friends and was a tremendous help all the way to the end. In the mid 1970s, he proudly became a deacon of Calvary Baptist Church in Alabaster, and he is currently a member of Grantswood Baptist Church in Irondale. Throughout his life, he and the love of his life, Cynthia, enjoyed extensive travels while raising their 5 children. Although Mr. Harris did not excel very far in his education, he was always full of plenty of wisdom and advice for anyone who needed it. He was a very loving and dedicated father and Paw-Paw. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia Gunter Harris; father, Richard Harris Sr.; mother, Mary Ollie Wills Harris, and sister, Joann Harris Brewer. Mr. Harris is survived by his children, Alan Harris, Steve Harris, Jeff (Gina) Harris, Tina (Denny) Moore, and Melissa Harris and grandchildren, Bronson, Clay, Abby, Marie, Nolan, Brock, Ty, Kayleigh, Anna, Josie, Sabrina, and Jordan. Tim Brewer, Bronson Harris, Clay Harris, Nolan Forehand, Brock Forehand, and Ty Forehand will serve as pallbearers. Grady Wren Brewer, Arthur Harris, and Denny Moore will serve as honorary pallbearers. Mr. Harris’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Basu and all of the loving caretakers that touched his life at UAB and The Kirkland Clinic. Online condolences may be offered at www.usreyfuneralhome.com. Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing the services.