Mamie Marie Smith Harris, 84, of Texarkana, Texas, formerly of Magnolia, Arkansas, passed peacefully on May 18, 2026, surrounded by her children.
Marie was born on January 18, 1942, in Hempstead County, Arkansas, the daughter of Albert and Cora Smith of Hope, Arkansas. She graduated from Hope High School in 1960 where she met her husband, Harold “Hal” Harris. She went on to serve for many years as a bookkeeper in the offices of Smitty’s Food Stores in Magnolia, Arkansas before retiring from Edward Jones where she was a Branch Office Administrator.
A member of Highland Park Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas, Marie carried with her a lifetime of faithful Christian service that stretched back decades to Magnolia. At Central Baptist Church in Magnolia, she taught Girls in Action and led the women’s Independent Living Sunday School class. She prepared countless meals for students at the Baptist Student Union at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and prepared many meals for people in need in various situations. She crocheted infant caps for newborns at Magnolia Hospital, and when the pandemic arrived in 2020, she made 350 face masks for hospital staff and patients throughout the region. For the past twenty years, Marie found deep joy in quilting. Most of those quilts found their way into the hands of family members.
Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 55 years, Harold (Hal) W. Harris of Magnolia; her parents, Albert and Cora Smith of Hope, AR; and ten siblings: Elmer Smith of Hope, AR; Mildred Middlebrooks of Texarkana, TX; James Smith of Eugene, OR; Howard Smith of Texarkana, AR; Fred Smith of Magnolia, AR; Rufus Smith of Hope, AR; Alfred Smith of Hope, AR; Thomas Smith of Hope, AR; Charles Smith of Hope, AR; and Virginia Mendenhall of El Dorado, AR.
She is survived by her sister, Geneva Bowlin of Conway, AR; her children, Michael and Jana Harris of Stephens, AR, Cheri and Jay Rainer of Texarkana, TX, Kevin and Olga Harris of Garland, TX, and Keith and Sheila Harris of Flower Mound, TX, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of The Oaks Memory Care of Texarkana, TX, and to Heritage Home Health & Hospice of Texarkana, TX — especially Kassie, Natasha, Megan, Chaplain Roland, and Jennifer — for the compassionate care shown to Marie and to her family.
A graveside service will be held at Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery, 366 Old Eldorado Rd (Columbia 36) Magnolia, AR on Friday, May 22nd at 11 AM under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Harris officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to The Hannah Center, 101 W. Main Street, Suite 200, El Dorado, AR 71730.