James Clyde Harless

2019. After fighting a courageous battle with ALS, he passed away peacefully at home,

surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Jim was born January 17, 1941 in Birmingham, AL. He was the only child of the late Clyde

and Kathleen Harless. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kay Hairston Harless, their 4

children: Leigh Anne Carr (David) of Madison, MS, Mark Harless (Kelly) of Buford, GA,

Matt Harless (Regina) of Milton, GA, and Amy House (Tim) of Coeur d’Alene, ID and 12

grandchildren. He was preceded in death by their infant son James Clyde (Jimmy)

Harless, Jr.

JIm grew up in Ocala, FL where he graduated from Ocala High School. He attended

Campbell College and received a B.S. from Howard Payne University. He later received

his M.S. from Indiana University. Answering a life long call to Missions, Jim and his wife

were appointed on November 5th, 1970 (exactly 49 years before he went home to the

Lord) as career missionaries by the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission

Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention. They served faithfully for 37 years in the

country of Colombia, S.A. and retired to Madison, MS in 2007. After his diagnosis of ALS,

he and his wife moved to Milton, GA where he resided until his death.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 8, 2019 at Johns-Ridout’s Mortuary-Elmwood

Chapel (800 Denison Ave SW, Birmingham, AL). Visitation will begin at 2 pm followed by a

graveside service at 3 pm. Mark Harless, Matt Harless, David Carr, Tim House, Ryan Carr, Will Carr, Sam Harless, Brock Harless and Baret Harless will serve as pallbearers. A celebration of life service will be held at Colonial Heights Baptist Church (444 Northpark Dr., Ridgeland, MS, with a live feed on the church website, www.ColonialHeights.org) on Saturday, November 9th at 3pm, with open visitation starting at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the “Casa Grande Fund” through CHBC

or to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering through the IMB.