Willow Harris

Willow Jean Harris, 87, answered her heavenly call to home on Thursday, June 5, 2025, and is now “Walking, Talking , Singing and Shouting” beyond the heavenly gates. Born September 23, 1937, in Bedford County, Tennessee, she was the first born to Clemmie Wathenia (Hightower) and Frank Harris and the granddaughter of Gertrude and John Lee Hightower and Lucinda and Arthur Lee Harris.

Willow Jean was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. She was a cherished friend to all that were blessed to call her “friend”. She embodied the grace, strength, and kindness that the vintage Southern women are known for, which is intertwined with and fueled by a profound love for God and unwavering faith that permeates every aspect of their lives; An attribute that displays an unwavering dedication to family, church and community. Her warmth and compassion, while uplifting, was often seasoned with bluntness and wittiness. She leaves a legacy of love that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who had the privilege to know her.

A devoted member of Greater First Baptist Church throughout her life, Willow Jean was active in Choir #2 and the Addie McLain Circle Missionary Society and was a volunteer for countless other church activities. Her commitment to community was evidenced in being a founding member of the Altruist Club; a local service organization that provides annual college scholarships to African American high school seniors.

Willow Jean graduated from Jones Training School in 1956 with the honors of class Valedictorian and a recipient of a full scholarship to Tennessee A & I (now TSU) which she declined, but would later enroll in a hospital-based nurse assistant training program at  Taylor’s Hospital (now Marshall Medical Center) where she worked as a member of the ICU/CCU team. She was later promoted to Unit Secretary. Her love of caregiving would eventually lead to a personal assistant career until she retired. Following her official retirement, wanting to stay busy, she worked part-time at McDonald’s in customer service.

Choosing love over a TSU education, she married Eugene Harris December 15, 1956, forever merging the Bedford County and Maury County “Harris” families. To the marriage, two children were born Vickie Wathenia Harris and Victor Eugene Harris.

Willow is preceded in death by her  parents; her husband of 66 years, Eugene Harris in 2022; brothers, Johnny Frank Harris and Arthur Lee Harris. She is survived by her beloved children Victor Eugene Harris (Mary Kincaid) and Vickie Wathenia Harris; brothers; Joe Lee Harris (Nancy) and Bobby Harris; sister Willow Mae Campbell; grandchildren, Latisha Berry and Geoffrey Tears; great grandchildren, Bennielle Hill, Teshaun Hill, Miciah Greer, and Carson Keller; great great grandchildren Majour Hill, Kayona Hill, Kaliyah Hill, Connor Hill, Addilyn Hill, Achilies Hill, Serentiy Hill, Adrian Greer, and Nalia Greer.

She is also survived by sisters-in-laws Dorothy (James) Olliver, JoAnn Edwards, Mammie Harris, and Mary Grace Harris, countless nieces, nephews, cousins and some special friends from her homebound period; Peggy Haynes, Valerie Hightower, Lynn Hardin (niece), Jill Kincaid, Tamekia Harris and Mearrha (niece and great niece), Valorie Johnson, Candace McCord, Carlotta Webster, Renee Freeman, Scottie McLain, and Jackie Robinson.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Harris will be conducted on Saturday, June 14th, at 12:30 PM at Greater First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Beechwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:30 AM until service time at the church.

Bills-McGaugh & Hamilton Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to assist the family with arrangements.