Willie Albert “Doc” Harrison was born on October 12, 1940, to Ms. Ella Mae Howard and Mr. John Harris Sr. in Lincoln County, Mississippi. He departed this earthly life on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center with his daughter and wife by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers — Joe Lee Harris, Oscar Harris, Willie D. Harris and James Earl Howard; four sisters — Annie Pearl Barnes, Lynn Brown, Lillie Belle Harris and Mary Frances Harris.

Willie “Doc” accepted Jesus as his personal Savior very early in life and joined Mt. Wade Missionary Baptist Church in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He spoke lovingly of the church events in which the ladies of the church would cook delicious meals after the gathering during his youth and Sunday School. As he grew older, he would be selected to serve on the deacon board ministry — an appointment in the church he cherished and served all of his life. At the time of his passing, he was Head of the Deacon Ministry.

Daddy graduated from Alexander High School in 1960. He attended Mississippi Valley State University on a football scholarship and completed his undergraduate degree in Physical Education. In 1964, he and Mr. Irving Roberson broke the color barrier here in Brookhaven, Mississippi, as they became the first two African American Officers with the Brookhaven Police Department. He obtained a teaching position as well as coaching positions at JE Johnson Institute in Prentiss, Mississippi, while continuing his work as a police officer with Brookhaven Police Department. At the dawn of integration, Doc came to teach at Brookhaven High School and served as Head Girls Track Coach and Football Coach while continuing his work with Brookhaven Police Department. Upon Mr. L.L. Prater’s retirement as Assistant Principal, Doc was approached and accepted the position as Assistant Principal of Brookhaven High School, while completing his graduate studies at Tennessee State University and finishing at Jackson State University. It was then, in 1984, he retired from the police force as a Lieutenant. Throughout his years as both educator and police officer, he served his community well and from the numerous stories and tributes online, touched numerous lives. Following his retirement in 1997, he continued to work as a co-principal and provide administrative trainings at various campuses throughout the district. Upon his full retirement from the school district, he continued to serve the community in various capacities — Brookhaven School Board of Trustees (2008-2020); Copiah-Lincoln Community College Board of Trustees (1997-Passing); Brookhaven Recreation Department Board of Trustees and Court Bailiff (1996-2016).

Throughout the community, he was affectionately known as “Doc.” His love of Christ and his love for his fellow man showed in every conversation and every kind word and work he shared. He lived a life of kindness, service and humanity. He has left an indelible mark on all those he touched. He shall, indeed, be missed.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 56 years, Mrs. Clementine Harrison; his daughter, Dr. LaRenda Janee’ Harrison; his brothers, John Alford Harris Jr., Emmett Harris, Robert Harris, David Harris; his sisters, Elizabeth Crockett, Diane Martin, Christine Patton; and a host of special in-laws with whom he shared great affection; nieces, nephews, many other relatives, numerous friends, former students and colleagues.