Byram, MS
Funeral Home
McLain-Hays Funeral Home
Visitation
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30:pm, McClain-Hays Funeral Home, Philadelphia, Ms
Service
Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 12:30 p.m. McClain-Hays Funeral Home, Philadelphia, MS
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on May 2, 2025, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Sergeant Major James E. Harlow Sr., age 78, who had served within MSARNG R&R and RTI has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:
July 15, 1946 — May 2, 2025
Byram
Funeral Services for James Earl Harlow Sr. will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. from McClain-Hays Chapel with Bro. Matthew Fancher officiating. Interment will follow in the Carolina Cemetery in the Dowdville Community. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. until service time at McClain-Hays Funeral Home.
James Earl Harlow, Sr, 78, of Byram, Mississippi passed away and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, May 2, 2025. James was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on July 15, 1946, to Ernie and Woodrow “Bo” Harlow. He grew up in Nettleton, Mississippi where he graduated from Nettleton High School. He earned his graduate degree from William Carey College. James was an active member of Country Woods Baptist Church, Byram, Mississippi. He served honorably with the Mississippi Army National Guard for over 41 years and retired as a Command Sergeant Major. Following his retirement from the Mississippi Army National Guard, he proudly spent five years at Richland High School as a facilitator for the U.S. Army Junior ROTC program.
James is survived by his wife, Shelia Harlow, his children Eddie Harlow, Amy (Eddie) Pennington, Toby Harlow, Jennifer McCarter, Jim (Claire) Harlow, Haley (Mike) Harrell and 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. His siblings Brenda (Johnny) Martin, Shirley Lawrence, Ronnie (Joyce) Harlow, Randy (Sandra) Harlow and Joyce Mathis, and sister-in-law Jacquie Harlow and Darlene (Mike) Oliver.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Ernie (Randolph) Harlow and Woodrow “Bo” Harlow, his brothers Glen Harlow and Wayne Harlow, his brother-in law Fred Mathis and Roger Lawrence and nephew Jason Oliver.
Pallbearers will be Randol Harlow, Ronnie Harlow, Randy Harlow, Mike Harrell, Oakley Harrell, Deacon Harrell, Rob Wilson and Allen Harlow
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request that donations be made to Country Woods Baptist Church, 6737 South Siwell Road, Byram, MS 39272.