Michael Keith Harris

Michael Keith Harris, age 69, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at Emory University Hospital, surrounded by his family. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Deepstep Community Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Elder Kenneth Brantley, Reverend Eddie Wiggins and Mr. David Avant will officiate.  Pallbearers will be Mike Abbott, Travis Andrews, Stacy Everett, Damon Harris, Daniel Harris, Thomas Harris, Ryan Hood and David Tanner. Honorary pallbearers will be David Avant, Benjie English, William Mathis, Howard Veal, Tony Tanner. Bob West and Frank Young.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church social hall.

Michael was born on April 22, 1956, in Sandersville, Georgia, and was raised in Deepstep, the place he called home his entire life. He was the son of Grace Veal Harris and Cyrus Thomas Harris Sr. Along with his three siblings, Michael grew up in a close-knit family where cousins were constant companions and the steady, watchful care of kinfolk was never far away. He attended the Deepstep School as a young student and joined Deepstep United Methodist Church at an early age, and Michael’s formative years laid the foundation for his lifelong loyalty to family, friends, and community.

A turning point in Michael’s life came when the Deepstep School closed and he moved on to Sandersville Elementary School. There, he met a group of classmates he affectionately called the “city boys,” and these friendships would remain strong for a lifetime. Michael later began at Brentwood School as an eighth grader, where he met a fellow classmate, Patti, who would one day become his wife and lifelong partner.

After graduating from Brentwood and attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Michael joined his father in the family business, C.T. Harris, Inc. Over the years, he led the company’s maintenance division and served as company vice president alongside his brothers. He held deep respect for the mechanics, truck drivers, and equipment operators who worked beside the family, valuing their dedication and considering them family in every sense of the word.

Of all the joys in Michael’s life, none compared to being a father. His greatest pride came from watching his children, Hayley and Matthew, grow into who they were meant to be and succeed along the way. Their accomplishments meant everything to him, and his pride in them was quiet, steady, and unwavering.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Cyrus Harris Sr., and his brother, Darryl Harris. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Patti Smith Harris; his children, Hayley Harris of Auburn, Alabama, and Dr. Matthew Harris of Sandersville, Georgia; his sister, Cindy Harris Andrews of Sandersville, Georgia; his brother, Cyrus Harris Jr. (Sherri), and his sister-in-law, Anne Helton Harris, all of Deepstep, Georgia.

Donations in Michael’s memory may be made to Brentwood School, P.O. Box 955, Sandersville, Georgia 31082; to Deepstep Community Church, c/o Stacey Brown, 97 Club Forest Drive, Tennille, Georgia, 31089; or to the donor’s favorite charity.

Condolences may be made online at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.