Lonnie Lee Harris

Lonnie Lee Harris, 68, of Jones County, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the home he built beside the creek he loved early the evening of January 15, 2021. Born November 6, 1952 in San Diego, California, his family relocated to Georgia when he was just six months old. Rural Georgia was a great fit for Lonnie. As he grew up, he developed a true love for the great outdoors. In his youth, he went hunting and fishing every chance he got (after doing chores) both for sport as well as necessity. He learned the value of effort and hard work. His work ethic allowed him to excel in anything that interested him like sports. That drive combined with a towering presence (he stood over 6 feet tall) enabled him to double letter in football and basketball while attending Jones County High School. When he graduated from high school, he had amassed numerous trophies and awards. Go Greyhounds!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Georgia Wildlife (https://gwf.org/ ).

After high school, he attended Middle Tennessee State University on a football scholarship. After a year, he returned home to Georgia where he graduated from Georgia Southern with a BSED. After graduating, he coached at Screven County High School before returning to Middle Georgia. He was employed at Bibb Distributing Company (an Anheuser Busch distributor here in Middle Georgia) as a loader. When he retired, he was vice-president of the company. His tenure there allowed him to go many places and see many things but what he loved most was becoming friends with so many good people many of whom remained his friend for the rest of his life. He was proud of his career there and truly missed it when he retired. Hard work and friendship were common themes throughout his life.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Evelyn Harris and his first cousin, Frank Findlay.

Lonnie is survived by his son, William “Lin” (Dottie) Chambers, his grandson, William Harris Chambers, his sister Cecile “Cile” Mitchell, his nieces Katie (Danny) Bird, Mandy (Brian) O’Connor, Chris Mitchell, numerous great nieces and nephews whom he adored, and his  best buddy and co-conspirator Ray Lyles.

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of the arrangements.