Jennifer Baird Harris

Jennifer Baird Harris was born in Winona, Mississippi, on September 2, 1957, and passed away in her sleep on January 21, 2023, in Tampa, Florida.

Jennifer was a graduate of the University of Tennessee after attending Mississippi State University and Ole Miss. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. After college, Jennifer had a distinguished political career in Washington, D.C. In her early years there she served on staff for Mississippi Congressmen Wayne Dowdy and Congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery, her cousin. Jennifer was a proud lobbyist for the American Medical Association in DC. After joining Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton's national campaign office in Little Rock, Arkansas, she then returned to Washington to serve in The Clinton Administration at the United States Department of Agriculture as a Congressional Liaison. Jennifer thrived in the social life of Washington. She was one of the founders of "Taste of the South", an annual gala benefitting southern based charities, started in 1982 and still running. Jennifer served on the Board of the Mississippi State Society of Washington, D.C.

More recently Jennifer was a creative artist and craftsman. Jennifer painted with bright colors and bold statements, just as she dressed and lived. She sewed funky skirts with wild patterns for herself and her family - another way for her to add life to the party. She loved big family gatherings, Elvis, SEC football, late night runs to the dollar store, and was always up for a dance party.

Jennifer is survived by her sister, Rosemary Harris Henderson of Tampa, Florida, her brother, George Meadows Harris, Jr. (Margaret) of Winona, her brother Jack Montgomery Harris (Sara Ann) of Inverness, Mississippi, and step sister, Virginia McElwee of Tupelo. Jennifer was the fun and entertaining aunt to Carter Harris Henderson (Ashley), Thomas Nathan Henderson, IV (Cori), George Meadows Harris, III, Hartwell Virginia Harris, Emily Harris Soen (Philip), Jane Anna Harris Waide (Whit), and John Montgomery Harris. She leaves behind great nieces, Anastasia Elizabeth Soen, Samantha Montgomery Soen, Georgia Elizabeth Henderson, Meriwether Montgomery Waide, and Margot Glass Waide. Jennifer is also survived by many dear cousins and friends.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Virginia Montgomery Harris of Memphis, Tennessee, and her father, George Meadows Harris, Sr. of Winona, Mississippi.

Jennifer's family is grateful for all of those that loved and supported her. We loved her deeply and will miss her dearly.

There will be a showing of Jennifer's art in Tampa, Florida, at a later date to be announced.

Funeral services will be held Inverness United Methodist Church in Inverness, Mississippi, on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 1:00 pm, followed by a graveside service at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Following the burial, a visitation will be held at Oakhurst, Jennifer's ancestral family home, 821 West Grand Avenue, Inverness, MS 38753. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Lee's House, a child advocacy and protection center, 2806 N. Armenia Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33607, Winona Animal Advocacy Group (WAAG), 317 Oak Drive, Winona, Mississippi 38967, or a charity of your choice.