Deborah Gentry Harris

Debbie Gentry Harris, 66, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024, at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, MS.

Debbie was born on February 21, 1958, in Lambert, MS to Nolen and Clara Gentry. She attended high school at West Panola Academy. Debbie earned her Associate’s Degree from Northwest Community College. She worked for the State of Mississippi for 27 years, having served at the University of Mississippi and Institutions of Higher Learning, where she served as administrative assistant to the Commissioner. After retiring, Debbie worked in the private sector, but her greatest love was working with preschool children at Meadowbrook Preschool and Covenant Presbyterian Preschool. Debbie loved with all her heart some special children and young adults who simply referred to her as DeDe or Ms. Debbie.

Debbie loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a member of Brandon Baptist Church.

Debbie is survived by her husband of 46 years, Mickey Harris; sisters, Brenda Holmes (Scotty) of Oxford, MS; Dorothy Snyder of Walls, MS; Betty Collins of Senatobia, MS; one brother, Russell Gentry (Cathy) of Batesville, MS; as well as her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Nolen Gentry; mother, Clara Gentry; brother, Pete Gentry; and niece, Rhonda Goad.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 9, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 5:00PM at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS and at Brandon Baptist Church on Monday, June 10, 2024, from 12:00PM until 2:00PM. The funeral service will follow at 2:00PM. Interment will be at Crestview Memorial Gardens in Brandon, MS.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Duncan, Tom McKinley, Matthew McKinley, Jim Vinson, James Belk, and Ricky Randolph.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Central Mississippi Down Syndrome Society or Batson Children’s Hospital.