Jewel Johnston Harris

Jewel Johnston Harris, age 82 of Grand Junction, Tennessee, passed away Monday, August 15, 2016 from a difficult battle of pancreatic cancer in the comfort of family.

She was born November 24, 1933 in Pleasant Hill, MS, the daughter of the late James K. Johnston, Sr. and Betty Lee Bernard Johnston. She grew up near Hernando, MS. She was united in marriage to Joseph "Joe" Harris on January 10, 1958 in Hernando, MS. Mr. Harris preceded his wife in death October 10, 2005. Jewel worked several years in retail starting with Freeman Grocery in Horn Lake, MS after graduating from Hernando High School in 1954 then moving on to Memphis, TN to begin her career in retail at Sears Crosstown, Kress Dollar Store and then Ellis-Bagwell Wholesale Drugs until May 1960, when she became a mother and dedicated her time to her children.

Becoming a mother and full-time homemaker filled her days. In the early 1970's Jewel was very active in the children's Sunday School Pre-K at St. Stephen's in Memphis, TN, she was a classroom mom all during her children's early years of school and was always involved in their lives no matter where they were in life as well as the grandchildren. Her favorite pastimes included gardening, canning, putting up any type of fruit or vegetable; if you were hungry she was there to feed you. She was always on the farm helping in the field alongside her husband in the 1970's then later her son, Tim, as he continued to farm. She wasn't afraid of hard work and was quick to tell you about her "old cotton sack" she used to pick peas with.

Moving from Memphis to Grand Junction/Hickory Valley area in 1973 she remained involved in her children's school and church activities, she became active in the Women's group and Sunday school class at the United Methodist Church of Grand Junction where she joined shortly after marrying in 1958.

She is survived by a daughter, Tammy Harris Jones (Lewis) of Memphis, TN; two sons, Kim (Becky) and Tim Harris, both of Grand Junction, TN; three grandchildren: Jonathon Harris of Memphis, TN; Bridget Campbell of Brownsville, TN and John "Trey" Jones, III of Memphis, TN and one great-grandson, Joseph Martin. Two sisters: Kitty D. Moore and Ellouie VanZant both of Hernando, MS and a brother, Ernest Johnston of Independence, MS and numerous nieces and nephews. Along with her husband of 47 years and parents, she is preceded in death by a sister Bitty Jean Oliver; two brothers: James K. Johnston, Jr. and Steve Johnston.

The family request any/all memorials be sent to Baptist Trinity Home Care & Hospice or City of Grand Junction Cemetery Fund.