Cherie Harris, 86
August 29, 1937 – May 2, 2024
TUPELO – Wanda Cherie Brown Harris was one more special soul. Born on Aug. 29, 1937 in the East Tennessee town of Johnson City, her parents were George W. Brown and Ruby Barnes Brown. She was blessed to have a beloved “baby” sister, Glenda Brown Kelly, to whom she was always inseparable. Mrs. Harris arrived in her eternal home after a brief illness on May 2, 2024, from Sanctuary Hospice House. Cherie was always poised, dressed to the 9s, had a compassion for others, walked, spoke and lived with swagger, determination and zeal and zest for life. She was ever the life and light of the party wherever she was. She and her family got to Tupelo from Tennessee as fast as they could and young Cherie graduated from Tupelo High School in 1955. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she was a Delta Delta Delta (Tri-Delt). She had met at THS, the dashing William Thomas “Tommy” Harris, Jr. and they were married in Tupelo after their time at USM in 1958, a marriage of 57 years until his death on Aug. 24, 2016. To this union was born two sons, William Wayne Harris and Michael Brown Harris. Cherie had a career with Square D Electrical as Secretary before becoming a full time housewife, mother and a doting “Re Re” to her two granddaughters. With a heart of gold and “No” not in her vocabulary, Cherie was deeply involved in the life of her church since 1964, St. Luke United Methodist and the Friendship Sunday school class. She often shared that her Church was a blessing to her. Cherie was a “professional” volunteer in the greater Tupelo community. Sanctuary Hospice House and its ministries were her great passion. She could always been seen at the Sanctuary Village Shop volunteering as well as Celebration Village. She was a lifetime member of the Tupelo Junior Auxiliary and was an active volunteer with Salvation Army Auxiliary. Always beautiful, joyful and encouraging, Cherie loved “socializing”, writing letters of encouragement to family and friends, traveling esp. to the Florida beaches, and generally celebrating the beauty of the gift of life daily.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 11 AM Monday, May 6, 2024 at St. Luke United Methodist Church with her pastor, Rev. Rob Gill, officiating. Doris Ramage will deliver the eulogy. Inurnment will follow the service in the Church Columbarium. Visitation will be from 10 AM-service time Monday only, all at the Church. Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is honored to be serving their friends.
Cherie is survived by her sons, Wayne and Mike; her granddaughters, Jordan Ashleigh Harris and Kelsey Elizabeth Harris; special nephew, Chip Hannah; beloved nieces, Lisa Wren (Mike) and Pam Vance (Gerry); special great nieces, Mary, Hannah and Carly Vance; and many treasured friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ruby; her husband, Tommy; her beloved sister, Glenda Kelly; and her husband, Eddie Wayne.
The family request that memorials in Cherie’s honor be given to St. Luke UMC, 1400 Clayton Avenue, Tupelo, MS. 38801, or to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803. Condolences may be posted to Cherie’s memory page at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
