A funeral service for Mrs. "Dolly" Avis Joy Harris, 89, of Forney, TX, formerly of Carthage, TX, will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, at Central Baptist Church in Carthage with Dr. William Everett and Rev. Steve Jackson officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center, TX. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Harris passed away on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 30, 2013, in Forney.

"Dolly" Avis Joy Stephenson Harris was born on June 9, 1924, in San Augustine County, TX to the late Robert Frank and Maude Richards Stephenson. Mrs. Harris graduated from San Augustine High School with the class of 1942. She married Robert Allen Harris, Sr. on May 3, 1945, in Center, TX and Mr. Harris preceded her in death on Feb. 14, 1987. Mrs. Harris worked for Southwestern Bell in Houston from 1943-1947, National Biscuit Co. from 1949-1968, and taught pre-kindergarten in Pearland from 1975-1994. While in Pearland, she was a member of the First baptist Church for 24 years where she taught GA's, Sunday school, and sang in the choir. Mrs. Harris moved from Pearland to Carthage in 1994 and she became a devoted member of Central Baptist Church where she was a member of the Silvertones and the Strummers. In 2008, she moved to Forney to live with her daughter and family. She was a Godly woman who led by example. She didn't need any fan fair or recognition. She was happy serving her Lord and it didn't matter the task. Whether being a caregiver, a loving mother and grand mother, or chopping onions for Wednesday service, she left behind a wonderful legacy for family and friends. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Harris was also preceded in death by six brothers and three sisters.

Mrs. Harris is survived by one son, Allen Harris of Pearland; one daughter, Denene Guess and husband David of Forney; three grandchildren, Brittany Dodson and husband Tyler and Dakotah, and Mackenzie Guess; one brother, Carl A. Stephenson of Houston; and three sisters, Minnie V. Lovejoy of Center, Blanche Haley of Center, and Faye Elder of Shreveport. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mrs. Harris.

Serving as pallbearers are Gerald Burns, Ken Andrus, Bill Price, Sammy Moore, Walter Weston, and Len Haroldson.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Sam Raley, James Gossett, and Fred Overton.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Central Baptist Church, Library, 220 W. Sabine, Carthage, TX 75633 or Odyssey Hospice Care, 2824 Terrell Rd, Suite 500, Greenville, Texas 75402.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.