Jean Harris

Jean Harris (Betty Jean Jones Bridges Harris) was the eldest of ten children born November 2, 1934, in Leake County, Mississippi, to Ocey D. Jones and Norma Sistrunk Jones. She departed this life on December 31, 2022, at the home of her daughter & son-in-love, Sharon & Baretta Barry, where she had been residing since December 22, 2021. Jean sold her home in Forest in 2015, and moved next door to Sharon & Baretta, to be closer to family but continue to live independently. And independent & sassy she was! She continued to sell Mary Kay cosmetics, tried to boss all of her siblings, and keep up with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After her fall, on November 1, 2021, it became apparent Jean could no longer live alone. Reluctantly, she lost her independence and all of her prized possessions. Much too rapidly, quickly that demon, dementia, destroyed her brilliant mind and so much of her quick wit!

Jean is survived by her daughters: Sharon (Baretta) Barry of Cato; Barbara (Jimmy) Pryor of Monroe, Louisiana; Sandra (Tony) Yelverton of Madison; and, Jennifer (Rich) May of Brandon; bonus son, Andrew Benavides of Galveston, Texas; grandchildren, Stephen, Dennis (Leslie) and Paul (Shay) Barry; April, Chris (Anna) & Seth Pryor; Daniel & Dustin (Ashley) Traylor; Austin May; Tony (Chanda) Yelverton; Brandi (George) Stinson; and Dana Shanks. Great grandchildren Gage, Myra Grace, Gavin, Nolan, Landon, Avery, Addison, Sarala, Asher & Emory Barry; Shelby Christmas; William, Ellis & Everett Pryor; Hayden, Mason & Brooks Traylor; Hadley & Thomas Stinson; and Bella Shanks. Siblings: Jimmy (Louise) Jones of Terry; Alan (Ann) Jones of Leadner, Texas; Mike (Nancy) Jones of Homewood; Robin (Peggy) Jones of Walnut Grove, Carol Thomas of West Point; and Kay Thornton of Carthage. Jean was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Philip M. Harris, Jr.; her parents, brothers, Jerry (Betty) Jones and Buck (Shirley) Jones and one sister, Deborah (Bob) Lang).

Visitation will be held at 12:30 pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Forest on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, the service will follow in the Chapel at 1:30 pm, and burial will be at Eastern Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Jean requested that donations in her honor be made to Children of the World, Fairhope, AL, or Christ Faith Home for Children in India. Her precious great-grandchildren, Sarala, Asher & Emory Barry have brought so much love and happiness to her life and to her family that she wants other families to share that love & happiness and to give one more orphan a chance at love & happiness!

Sharon & Baretta would like to express their sincerest appreciation to Pam Holloway, who has been a lifesaver for them, a loving companion, and Mom’s dear friend for the last 10 months. Always being there so that we could attend to my own health issues, attend Myra’s high school graduation, attend every one of Gavin’s senior football games, go Christmas shopping, and any other thing Mom dreamed up! She loved you dearly and you made her life so happy and she enjoyed your time together so much. To Dr. Harpal Singh, for always having time for Mom, and for your loving care & compassion, Mom thought you hung the moon. To Madison McGrew for coming to give Mom her haircuts; her caregivers at CenterWell Home Health, Gloria and Brad, and the many nurses who came to visit Mom in my home over the last year. She looked forward to your visits and loved each of you; and, finally, our angels from Gentiva Hospice for helping Mom “DO IT HER WAY!”