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James McLaurin Harrison was raised by Marion B. Harrison (March 8, 1892-June 12, 1969) and Fannie Eula Williamson (December 25, 1896-November 15, 1975). Both of his parents were also born in Little Rock, Mississippi. They married on December 24, 1913. Their family was poor and had to work hard to get by financially. They worked a farm, growing vegetables and cotton. In 1917, Marion registered for the draft for World War I. In the 1940s, they made a home in Meridian, Mississippi, Lauderdale County. Both Marion and Fannie passed away in Meridian and were buried at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery in Duffee, Newton County.
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Click on each sibling to learn more. Some tabs may include addition information about their children.
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Flora Odessa Harrison (September 19, 1914-November 1, 1996) married William Delmar Smith (December 22, 1910-March 9, 1971) on August 15, 1933. Together, they had five children: Bobbye Sue, William Fred, Sharon Rose, James Daniel, and Iris Merie. She had dropped out of school after completing her first year of high school. Odessa was unemployed and did housework. In 1940, her husband registered to be drafted in World War II. On July 29, 1967, their family moved to Birmingham, Alabama. However, in 1992, she moved back to Newton County, Mississippi where her and her husband are buried. Following the death of Mac, their mother sent Odessa a letter, showing the heavy price families pay for American freedom.
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William “Rudy” Rudolph Harrison (August 2, 1916- January 16, 1986) married Bessie Floy Rainer (August 6, 1918-February 14, 2001) and had three sons: William Tommy, Travis Earl, and Teddy Ray. Rudy worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps and built multiple parks and other public services. He was also an active member of Midway Baptist Church and died at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. His funeral service was held at Webb Funeral Home Chapel, and his burial was in Little Rock with his nephews as his pallbearers. Together, him and his wife are buried at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery.
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Victor Gertrude Harrison (January 17, 1919-September 15, 1999) married Maston Steward McMahan (July 21, 1916-March 23, 1966) in 1941. Together, they had four children: Gwennie Chrelle, Tony Steward, Gwen Kay, and Vickie Shela. After completing the 7th grade, the family could not afford for her to stay at home, so she had to drop out of school. She moved to Meridian and worked in a butter factory and hosiery mill prior to her marriage. Gertrude was a stay-at-home mother for her children and her husband served in the United States Army in World War II following the Pearl Harbor attack. He was a Sergeant in the 22nd Tank Battalion in the 11th Armored Division, originally the 3rd Battalion, 42nd Armored Regiment. They were known as the “Thunderbolts.” The battalion trained at Camp Polk and participated in Third Army maneuvers in Louisiana and Texas in June-August, 1943. Together, they are buried at Hebron Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
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Celestial “Love” Clarene Harrison (August 28, 1920-February 20, 2014) married William Erwin Owen Little (August 25, 1919-February 8, 1956) and had five children: William Wayne, Frankie Lynn, Darla Korene, Sherry Ann, and Jeffery Owen. To help support her family, she had to drop out of school. She was a lifetime member of Midway Baptist Church, a Sunday school teacher, helped with Meals on Wheels, a member of Women’s Missionary and Young at Heart Seniors group, and retired after 30 years from Newberry’s Department Store. Her husband enlisted in the United States Army on November 3, 1942 and was released on October 5, 1945. At the age of 36, he passed away due to cancer. Together, they are buried at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Lauderdale County.
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Verna Ruth Harrison (May 13, 1926-April 29, 2013) married Kenneth Donald Bynum (July 21, 1925-February 25, 2013) in April 1945 and had two sons: James Laurin and Kenneth Byrul. She was “Class Prophet,” a cheerleader, and a graduate of 1945 at Beulah Hubbard High School. Her husband attended the same school, where he played basketball and was team captain. He served the United States Navy on August 17, 1943 for three years at the Naval Air Station in Florida. The Bynum’s were members of Midway Baptist Church, and she worked at South Central Bell Telephone Company and Medlin’s Fabrics. Together, they were buried in Little Rock, Newton County, Mississippi in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery.
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Kenneth “Chic” Buryl Bynum (January 29, 1947-June 20, 2008) graduated from Meridian, Mississippi. Later, he attended Mississippi State University. He enlisted in the United States Army on 18 July 18, 1967 and was released on July 17, 1970. In 2008, Chic passed away in Collinsville, Mississippi and was buried in Little Rock.
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James “Buddy” Laurin Bynum (July 9, 1952-September 3, 2011) was born in Meridian, Mississippi. He graduated from Meridian High School in 1970. There, he was elected Student Body President and Mr. Meridian High School. After graduating, he enrolled in the University of Mississippi, where he was involved in many activities, like the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He married Sandy May Bynum who graduated from the same college. There, she studied Public Policy. In college, he began his journalism career as editor of the Daily Mississippian. Later, he became the editor of the Meridian Star, the Mississippi Business Journal, and the Oxford Enterprise. Buddy served as Deputy Secretary for Congressional Relations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Communications Chief for the office of the U.S. Senator Trent Lott. He also was a former communications director for Governor Haley Barbour. In March 1988, the City of New Orleans conferred upon him the title of Honorary Citizen and the key to the city. He passed away in Ridgeland, Mississippi after battling pancreatic cancer. Writing an article in the Meridian Star, he honored his Uncle Mac.
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Duvert “Dub” B. Harrison (April 12, 1929-May 19, 1988) married Janice “Neecy” Irene Calvert (March 27, 1931-August 16, 2017) on July 3, 1949 and had four children: Cheryl Diane, John David, Paul McLaurin, and Joel Andrew. His wife was a lifelong member of Midway Baptist Church, Sunday School teacher, choir member, and longtime sales manager for Firestone. Together, they were buried at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery in Little Rock.
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