Fallen Hero: SGM(Ret) Jerry Harwood

Tupelo

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Funeral Home

Holland Funeral Directors

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Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard
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 Saturday, February 5, 2022, and moved on to his heavenly home. SGM(Ret) Jerry Harwood, age 78, a retired member of the MS Army National Guard who had served within the HHC, 155th Armored Brigade, 1CD RTOC, and had worked full-time within the HQ 155 Separate Armored Brigade, 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 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, this 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.
Obituary, visitation and service details:

Jerry Collins Harwood, 78, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Avonlea Assisted Living in Tupelo, where he had resided the last 2 years. He was born in Tupelo on December 20, 1943 to Collins and Ganelle Wiseman Harwood. A lifetime resident of Tupelo, he graduated from Tupelo High School in 1961 and continued his education at Mississippi State University. He married his Jr. High sweetheart, Shirley Bryson, in 1965. Jerry was a member of West Jackson Street Baptist Church and loved his ‘Open Door’ Sunday school class. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Lee County Shrine Club and a charter member of the Hamasa Rescue Unit where he was better known as “Jonuer”. He enjoyed his weekly lunch meetings with his ‘Class of 61 lunch bunch’ and also sitting around the fire with his Bucktail Hunting Club buddies. He loved the staff at Avonlea Assisted Living, where he was known as ‘Hollywood” Jerry loved the outdoors. He was a hunter, fisherman, piddler, collector, encourager and wonderful husband, Daddy, and Granddaddy. Jerry’s 38 1/2 year military career began in 1967 when he joined the Mississippi National Guard. Sergeant Major Harwood retired at age 62 after 20 years of full-time service with the 155th Brigade Combat Team and the 1st Calvary Division, Fort Hood, TX, RTOC.

A Service Celebrating his life, with military honors, will be at 2PM Friday, February 11, 2022 at the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo. Visitation will be on Friday from Noon until service time. A private burial will follow in Tupelo Memorial Park. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley Bryson Harwood; one daughter, Tracey Fitzmeyer (Mike) Marietta, GA. two grandchildren, Lauren Collins Fitzmeyer and Michael Scott Fitzmeyer who loved their “Hawoo”. He was preceded in death by his parents, Collins and Ganelle Harwood. Pallbearers will be Charles Duke, Mitch Ellett, Eddie Lomenick, Tommy Rogers, Stuart Smith, Tom Tindall, Buddy Vanidiver and Marty Walton.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to Tupelo Lee Humane Society, P.O. BOX 2143, Tupelo, MS 38801