Ida Elizabeth Bessie King Harris

IDA ELIZABETH BESSIE KING HARRIS

Henderson, TN: Ida Elizabeth Bessie King Harris age 102, passed away May 1, 2023, at Henderson Health & Rehabilitation Center.

She was born May 27, 1920, in the Silerton Community of Chester County, the daughter of the late Robert C. and Maggie Hinkle King. She was married to Leonard Harris on November 18, 1939. They made their home in the Silerton Community. In the 40’s they lived in Jackson, and then Henderson.

In 1948 they moved back to the Harris farm near Silerton. In 2015 Mrs. Harris moved back to Henderson to live with her daughter Jean and son-in-law, Joe Neal until she had ill health and moved to Henderson Health & Rehabilitation.

Bessie was a devout Christian, serving the Lord, church, and family. Her service was then prayer and participation. She taught Sunday School, VBS, Bible Classes and would talk with anyone that wanted to know about Jesus and the Bible. She was a member of the Bethel Church of many years and joined First Baptist Church in Henderson in 1981. While there she started a quilting group, that is still active serving the community.   

Bessie was a homemaker most of her life. She also worked at Salant & Salant in the 60’s and Smoler Bros. Garment Factory in Jackson until 1968. She loved sports of any kind, especially basketball, was an avid gardener of vegetables and flowers; and she loved to cook for people.

Mrs. Harris is survived by a daughter, Jean Cox (Joe Neal) of Henderson; five grandchildren, David Siler (Kelly), Judi Newsome (John), Lesa H. McMinn (Randy), Lori Harris and Jamie Cox, thirteen great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren; a sister, Marie King Duberry of Jackson, sister-in-law Linda Harris; granddaughter-in-law Amy Cox; and  grandson-in-law Dave Stanfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leonard R. Harris in 1993, a daughter, Patricia (Pat) Siler and her husband Eudell Siler, a son Roger Harris, a grandson, Jason Cox, granddaughter Kim Siler Stanfield, a sister, Mayola and a brother, Glen King.       

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday May 4^th at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue with Joe Neal Cox and Stan Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Crook Avenue 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday.

Shackelford Funeral Directors

Henderson, TN