Dawn Harris

Dr. Dawn Harris of North Pulaski County, passed away Friday, February 20, 2019 just shy of her 84th birthday and after nearly a year's treatments for ovarian cancer. She finished high school in Bothell, Washington before joining the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict, where she met and married Loyd Harris, a fellow airman, 62–years–ago. After serving over three years in the Air Force, Dawn left the active military life to focus upon helping to raise a family of three children. Dawn's teaching, educating, and counseling career began when she graduated from college with her Bachelor's Degree in Education. She taught school at different locations stateside and around the world. For example, she taught for two years at the elementary level in Taiwan in the early 1970s. Dawn then earned her Master's Degree in Counseling at a San Antonio Texas university. She spent the next nine years as a middle school counselor at a northeast Arkansas public school in Clay County as her family adjusted back to civilian life. Dawn was invited to serve as an advisor to other counselors and students at the state level from a Little Rock, Department of Counseling location. She taught numerous workshops at the state level and gave presentations at the national level while attending annual meetings. Dawn decided to spread her academic wings and professional career as she earned her Doctoral Degree in Educational Psychology from Memphis University. This route led to her turning to private practice and also becoming an instructor/supervisor for college students in Arkansas and some national locations. Besides being a Girl Scout leader, Dawn worked as a volunteer EMT in the medical field, served as a counselor for the Little Rock Red Cross unit which led her to assignments in 9/11 activities in New York City, and different locations involved with Hurricane Katrina, the Midwest flooding along the Mississippi River Delta, and many other disasters effecting Arkansas such as tornadoes. Dawn enjoyed attending her church where she worked with youth groups, was a regular meeter and greeter at the church door, and enjoyed being a presenter as needed. Dawn enjoyed making scrapbooks and creating jewelry for her family and friends. Dawn's family, who was her number one focus, arrived from throughout the United States to share their love and celebrate her life as a family leader. She also appreciated her many longtime friends and colleagues who lent their support during the medical battle. She is survived by her husband, three children, eight grandchildren, five great–grandchildren, and two cousins. Her family would like to thank all the staff of CARTI in North Little Rock and Little Rock locations, plus, the very professional support she received from the Comfort Care Center Hospice in Little Rock. Memorial services are 2 p.m., Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Family will receive guests prior to services, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Interment will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Memorials may be made in Dawn's name to Heifer International, https://www.heifer.org/campaign/end-hunger-poverty-donation.html. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. (501) 982–2136. www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.