- Date Of Birth: September 6, 1939
- Date Of Death: February 25, 2015
- State: Georgia
Imogene (Jean) Smith-Harris was born in Bude, Franklin County, Mississippi on September 6, 1939. Jean was the daughter of Leon P. and Bonnie R. Smith and the oldest of three siblings. Jean’s treasured hometown was historic Natchez, Mississippi. She graduated Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Religious Education. She became Minister of Children for Highland Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.
While serving at Highland Baptist Church she met her husband, William (Bill) A. Harris, Sr. of San Antonio, Texas (Surviving). Jean had three children, William (Bill) A. Harris, Jr., Joseph (Joe) W. Harris, and Elizabeth (Beth) Anne Harris-Jobe. The family established themselves in Atlanta, Georgia in 1971. As a member of the First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs, Jean served as a Sunday School Teacher, Director of Vacation Bible School, served on various church committees, pianist, and taught needlework classes. While her children were school-aged Jean worked in the home and was tireless in their support and upbringing. Jean was an excellent cook, a master seamstress, and a needlework artist.
Mrs. Harris was instrumental in the formation of the Lassiter High School Band Program, where she was the first president of the Lassiter Band and Orchestra Parents Association. In 1980 the family joined Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. Mrs. Harris served as the first church secretary and volunteered countless hours in the Children’s Ministry. During her children’s college years Jean was employed by both the Noonday Baptist Association and Carpax & Associates. Jean was delighted when grandchildren came into her life, and she showered them with love. She was a determined individual and seldom failed to succeed at anything she ventured to accomplish. Jean enjoyed excellent health all her life and it was not until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s that her pace began to slow. Even after all recollection of family, friends, places, and events had faded what remained was her ability to recall the Baptist hymns that sustained her all of her life. She died peacefully and comfortably at the Savannah Court Assisted Living Facility in Newnan with family by her side on February 25, 2015 at 7:18 AM EST.
Left to revere Jean’s memory are her children, William (Bill) A. Harris, Jr., Joseph (Joe) W. Harris, and Elizabeth (Beth) Anne Harris-Jobe; grandchildren, Arden Nicole Jobe, Meredith Grace Harris, and Henry Joseph Harris; Siblings, Billy Leon Smith & Family and Michael Lee Smith and Family; and Numerous Cousins The Harris and Smith Families would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of the people of Savannah Court Assisted Living Facility and Gentiva Hospice in Newnan, Georgia. The Harris and Smith families thank God for blessing us with truly one of a kind loved ones, Elizabeth Anne, Dean, and Arden Jobe, their love and devotion to our most beloved Imogene never wavered and exceeded any and all expectations and comprehension.
