Annie Bell Harris

ANNIE BELL (TUNNIE) HARRIS age 87, transitioned on December 16, 2023, at Lakeland Corewell Health Hospital.  Annie was born on January 4, 1936, in Benton, Mississippi to Julia (Syas) Harris and Thomas Harris Sr. She was the youngest of 9 children.

Annie attended elementary school in Benton, Mississippi and she attended Lindwood High School in Vaughan, Mississippi.  Annie relocated to attend a training school in Yazoo City, Mississippi.  She graduated in 1955. A year later she relocated to Benton Harbor, Michigan at the age of 19 to be with her sister Pearl, and to help her sister with her only child Julie Mae (Perry) Jenkins. Annie often traveled back home to Mississippi. 

Annie Harris gave her life to Christ at an early age, and she attended Water Grove AME Church in Mississippi. In Benton Harbor, Michigan she was a member of St. Mark’s Baptist Church, and she attended regularly until she became unable to attend.

Annie was a people person. She would carry on a conversation with anyone that would converse back.  She was a board member at the Senior Citizen Center in Benton Harbor, where she really enjoyed going.  Annie was mainly remembered by many for working at Mercy Hospital for 41 years as a Medical and Surgical Receptionist.  She retired in 1997 from Lakeland Medical Center, which was formerly known as Mercy Hospital.

The things that Annie enjoyed doing in her life for fun were playing cards, fishing, and camping. She also enjoyed cooking and spending time with family, but she really loved outside family gatherings. 

Annie is preceded in death by her parents Thomas & Julia Harris, her son Michael, two sisters Pearl (Harris) Perry & Pebbles Harris, five brothers, Johnson Owens, Roosevelt (Ducas) Harris, Thomas (Doc) Harris, Ernest (Watt) Harris, & Howard (Dan) Harris. Two sister-in-laws, Ruth & Stella Harris, two brother-in-laws, Wallace Perry & Oscar Thomas.  

Annie leaves cherished memories to her only surviving sibling, her sister Jessie Thomas. Two sister-in-laws: Gloria Jean Harris & Nattie Owens. Several nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews, several great-great nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Annie Bell Harris, please visit our floral store.