Harrel Burnon Potter passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at home, after a long illness.
Harrel was born in Swiftown, Leflore County, on March 1, 1938, the oldest of six children born to Kearney and Burnie Potter. After graduation from Greenwood High School, he married Rose Blount of Sidon and moved to Belzoni. Over the years, he built an impressive business. Starting out with grocery stores, he eventually added catfish farming to his resume, an industry he loved. The proudest moment of his professional life was being named Catfish Farmer of the Year. He was a member of the JayCees, on the board of Guaranty Bank & Trust, and served as President of Delta Pride. He often said his work was his hobby. Harrel was a true gentleman, a devoted husband and a proud parent of two daughters, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His generosity and support of local organizations will always be remembered.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Shirley Potter Holmes; and brothers, Mac Potter and Rickey Potter.
He is survived by the love of his life for 62 years, Rose Lanelle Potter; two daughters, Tamra (Glenn) Helms of Belzoni and Ann Potter of St. Petersburg, Fla.; three grandchildren, Austin (Philip) Gustin-Helms of St. Petersburg, Fla., Chelsea (Bryan) Burge of Inverness and Ethan Helms of Nashville, Tenn.; two great-grandchildren, Hannah Rose Burge and Thomas James Burge, both of Inverness; and two sisters, Barbara (Earl) Hoke of Belzoni and Sandra (Otis) Briggs of Wayside.
Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 at First Baptist Church in Belzoni. Funeral services will immediately follow visitation. Interment will be at Belzoni City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Humphreys Academy, P.O. Box 179, Belzoni, MS 39038 or Belzoni City Cemetery, 506 Sharkey Street, Belzoni, MS 39038 or a charity of your choice.
Mortimer Funeral Home of Belzoni has been entrusted with the services.