By Kevin DeBusk
Ronnie Milsap once sang, “Everybody loves cowboys and clowns. You’re everybody’s hero for just a little while. But when the goodbyes are said and the spotlight goes dead, there’s no one left that cares to hang around to love the cowboys and clowns.” And while the start of that chorus is true, had Milsap known Collierville, Tennessee’s Lecile Harris he would have likely changed the last portion of the chorus, as those feelings were far from accurate when it came to Harris.
The proof that Lecile’s spotlight will never go dead was evident on the anniversary of his final performance and passing, as the Dixie National Rodeo paid tribute to his memory on the night he tipped his hat for the final time following the day’s performances. They had multiple tributes planned, memorializing him in a way to assure he would be remembered for years to come.
The tribute began on Friday night, and would be repeated for both of Saturday’s performance, in a dark house. Once the lights went down, Lecile’s longtime friend and PRCA announcer Mike Mathis entered the arena on horseback, sharing a loving testimonial as the video screens flashed images of Lecile’s life. The highlight of the opening would be when fans were directed to the opposite end of the arena, where the clown barrel was positioned and Harris’s son Matt stood. Once Matt, who had performed with his dad at the Dixie National Rodeo, was recognized coming out of the darkness, you heard a young voice saying Lecile’s famous words “Hi ya’ll!” Then Lecile’s great grandson Coy Rhoda appeared, dressed as his great grandfather, including makeup.
“I don’t think I can put into words what this weekend meant to me and my family,” Harris’s granddaughter Indie Harris Rhoda said. “I We knew it was going to be a hard weekend for us, but the Dixie National fans, Harper and Morgan Rodeo family, Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gipson, and the coliseum workers reminded us that we are not alone in our loss.”
She said she now understood what her “Bigdaddy’s” quote from 2016 meant: “The Dixie National is really special to me. I know the guys, their kids and grandkids; I’ve seen them grow up. It’s like coming home!”
“He was right when he said ‘It’s like coming home’,” she stated.
But this was just the beginning of how the Dixie National Rodeo would honor his memory, as well as the family that was the most important part of Lecile’s life. Saturday began with a memorial processional around the Mississippi State Fairgrounds led by a bagpiper; rodeo royalty carrying flags; and the Harris family in a white carriage. While the temperatures were frigid, many people turned out and either stood along the route or sat in their vehicles watching. Those I spoke with said they made their way out because they wanted to let the family know how much they appreciated Lecile and all he had given the community throughout the years.
Following the memorial processional, the Dixie National, in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture, held a memorial service and ribbon cutting for the Lecile Harris mural and plaque.
“We’re honored to recognize the life of Lecile Harris,” Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gipson said. “He was a friend and native Mississippian and died after doing what he loved to do for so many years at the Dixie National. Lecile lived his life in a way that made us smile and he brought so much joy to so many people’s lives.”
Commissioner Gipson continued, “Generations of Mississippians loved Lecile and we thought about ways we could honor his memory and wanted to do something that would be a permanent reflection and memorial to Lecile.”
Mississippi State Representative Dan Eubanks then presented the family with a resolution. “What a beautiful testimony it is to be able to do something you’re good at and love ‘til the good Lord calls you home. May we all be so lucky.” He presented a resolution honoring the life, legacy, and all the laughs.
Following the presentations and the final two performances, Indie Harris Rhoda had these comments. “We couldn’t have asked for a better way to honor my ‘Bigdaddy’s life and I wouldn’t have wanted to been anywhere else on the one-year anniversary [of his death] than the Dixie National Rodeo.” She said it was so meaningful to meet and talk with his rodeo fans and share a laugh, or at times a tear, with them.
Matt Harris was visibly touched by the outpouring of love and said this at the memorial, “Dad loved this rodeo and loved all of you.” While he admitted that it was difficult to smile, he managed to carry a smile throughout it all and could be overheard talking with and sharing memories with many.
Ronnie Milsap once sang, “Everybody loves cowboys and clowns. You’re everybody’s hero for just a little while. But when the goodbyes are said and the spotlight goes dead, there’s no one left that cares to hang around to love the cowboys and clowns.” And while the start of that chorus is true, had Milsap known Collierville, Tennessee’s Lecile Harris he would have likely changed the last portion of the chorus, as those feelings were far from accurate when it came to Harris.
The proof that Lecile’s spotlight will never go dead was evident on the anniversary of his final performance and passing, as the Dixie National Rodeo paid tribute to his memory on the night he tipped his hat for the final time following the day’s performances. They had multiple tributes planned, memorializing him in a way to assure he would be remembered for years to come.
The tribute began on Friday night, and would be repeated for both of Saturday’s performance, in a dark house. Once the lights went down, Lecile’s longtime friend and PRCA announcer Mike Mathis entered the arena on horseback, sharing a loving testimonial as the video screens flashed images of Lecile’s life. The highlight of the opening would be when fans were directed to the opposite end of the arena, where the clown barrel was positioned and Harris’s son Matt stood. Once Matt, who had performed with his dad at the Dixie National Rodeo, was recognized coming out of the darkness, you heard a young voice saying Lecile’s famous words “Hi ya’ll!” Then Lecile’s great grandson Coy Rhoda appeared, dressed as his great grandfather, including makeup.
“I don’t think I can put into words what this weekend meant to me and my family,” Harris’s granddaughter Indie Harris Rhoda said. “I We knew it was going to be a hard weekend for us, but the Dixie National fans, Harper and Morgan Rodeo family, Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gipson, and the coliseum workers reminded us that we are not alone in our loss.”
She said she now understood what her “Bigdaddy’s” quote from 2016 meant: “The Dixie National is really special to me. I know the guys, their kids and grandkids; I’ve seen them grow up. It’s like coming home!”
“He was right when he said ‘It’s like coming home’,” she stated.
But this was just the beginning of how the Dixie National Rodeo would honor his memory, as well as the family that was the most important part of Lecile’s life. Saturday began with a memorial processional around the Mississippi State Fairgrounds led by a bagpiper; rodeo royalty carrying flags; and the Harris family in a white carriage. While the temperatures were frigid, many people turned out and either stood along the route or sat in their vehicles watching. Those I spoke with said they made their way out because they wanted to let the family know how much they appreciated Lecile and all he had given the community throughout the years.
Following the memorial processional, the Dixie National, in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture, held a memorial service and ribbon cutting for the Lecile Harris mural and plaque.
“We’re honored to recognize the life of Lecile Harris,” Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gipson said. “He was a friend and native Mississippian and died after doing what he loved to do for so many years at the Dixie National. Lecile lived his life in a way that made us smile and he brought so much joy to so many people’s lives.”
Commissioner Gipson continued, “Generations of Mississippians loved Lecile and we thought about ways we could honor his memory and wanted to do something that would be a permanent reflection and memorial to Lecile.”
Mississippi State Representative Dan Eubanks then presented the family with a resolution. “What a beautiful testimony it is to be able to do something you’re good at and love ‘til the good Lord calls you home. May we all be so lucky.” He presented a resolution honoring the life, legacy, and all the laughs.
Following the presentations and the final two performances, Indie Harris Rhoda had these comments. “We couldn’t have asked for a better way to honor my ‘Bigdaddy’s life and I wouldn’t have wanted to been anywhere else on the one-year anniversary [of his death] than the Dixie National Rodeo.” She said it was so meaningful to meet and talk with his rodeo fans and share a laugh, or at times a tear, with them.
Matt Harris was visibly touched by the outpouring of love and said this at the memorial, “Dad loved this rodeo and loved all of you.” While he admitted that it was difficult to smile, he managed to carry a smile throughout it all and could be overheard talking with and sharing memories with many.
