Jeanell Harris, 92, passed away peacefully in her home on June 26, 2024. Visitation will be held at Antioch Baptist Church in Bells, Texas on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 1pm – 2pm and the funeral service to directly follow at 2pm. Burial will follow after at Washburn Cemetery in Bells.
Jeanell was born in her home to William Otis and Jeanette Turbeville on December 16, 1931 in Lamont, Mississippi. Soon the family moved to Scott, Mississippi where she grew up. Jeanell met the love of her life, Charles, in Memphis, Tennessee while Charles was in the military. Charles went to the local diner, and that is where he laid eyes on Jeanell. Jeanell went over to Charles where she took his sailors cap off his head and tossed it in the air… The rest is history. Only two weeks after meeting Jeanell, Charles was sent to Honolulu, Hawaii as a relocation for the Navy. He and Jeanell wrote letters to one another daily and that is how he asked her to marry him. She wrote back immediately accepting his proposal; he got money for her to fly out to Honolulu and get married. She flew out March 6, 1952 and arrived March 7, 1952 – and that is the day they were wed at the Pearl Harbor Chapel. Together, they spent a life full of love, traveling, and laughter.
Jeanell is preceded in death by her father, William Otis “W.O.” Turbeville; mother, Jeanette (Smith) Turbeville; brothers: Robert Jackson “Jackie” Turbeville and Virgil Turbeville; sisters-in-law; Loraine Turbeville wife of late Virgil Turbeville and Stella Turbeville wife of Otis Turbeville.
Jeanell is survived by her loving husband of 72 years Charles Ray Harris of Bells; her son Terry Harris, wife Debbie of Commerce, Texas; Daughters: Tammy Wells and Shannon Payne, husband Gary of Bells; brothers: Otis Turbeville of Memphis, Tennessee and Francis Turbeville, wife Jeanine of Decatur, Texas.
Grandchildren: Christopher Harris of Round Rock, Texas and Lana Art, husband Eddie of Liberty Hill, Texas; Samantha Layton and Bryan Layton of Bells; Coltin Payne, wife Kelsey, and Addisyn Payne of Bells.
Great-grandchildren: Avery Layton of Bells, Texas, Raeley Thompson and Taylor Thompson of Van Alstyne, Texas; Abigail, Madilyn, and Josie Payne of Bells; Barrett Layton of Whitesboro, Texas; Brayden Harris of Round Rock, Texas; Amelia Clancy and Jacob Art of Liberty Hill, Texas.
Great-Great grandchild: Charlie Clancy of Liberty Hill, Texas.
Along with several nieces, nephews, and friends.
Jeanell “Mamaw” will be immensely missed, but we are comforted to know that she is finally Home.
Jeanell was always very special to us when we pastored at Antioch. We loved working with her on many church meals and her daughter Shannon’s wedding reception! She and Shannon helped us when our daughter was 3 weeks old for several weeks in our home, while I recovered from an unexpected major surgery! Jeanelle and this family will always have a special place in our hearts! May the Lord comfort you and give you strength during these difficult days.
With our love and prayers.
Jerry & Cynthia Carter
Oh sweet Lady, I am living in Arizona but know you are in great hands with the Lord!
Sending sympathy to all your family and loved ones❤️🩹
Nita Dodd
Jeanell and I have been friends for years, shared events at school with our children, room mothers- then were officers in Eastern Star together until it closed.
She was a person you could trust, now doesn’t mean if she had something to say to you she wouldn’t tell you. She would. A true friend .
Prayers and blessings to the family, at this difficult time. CDEX
Love, appreciation and sympathy to all the Harris family . Betsy spent many days watching from the yard as Jeanell watched from her spot as
Shannon made her regular trip down to her visit with Betsy. I believe they had a very special relationship , called Love. Charley, you and Jeanell kept an eye out for Mammaw after Pappaw died. We have loved our neighbors , and feel your loss. With love from the Crews Family through 5 generations !
Jeanell and Charlie came to Bells and we became friends by having daughters sharing school years together, she and I shared 12 tears as roommothers together with many laughs and love, then our years as members of our canasta club, and years of fishing on the coast and enjoying our catch with eating and laughter, even giving me a starting of some beautiful flowers. She was a sweet person with a very contagious laugh. I knew she was a deep Christian woman when we were on the ocean water and a bad storm came up, she prayed us safely back to shore. Fly high pain free sweet friend.🩷