Jean Harris

Frances Jeanette “Jean” Williams Harris passed peacefully into eternity on December 29, 2025.

She was the eldest child of Albert and Irene Marshall Williams, born in Bonifay on June 28, 1937.

Jean held several titles – Mama, Nanna, Aunt Jean, and Mrs. Jean. She married Ebby Harris in 1956. He was the absolute love of her life for 58 years. They had two daughters, Marsha and Renea. She was an amazing wife and mother and always loved her family fiercely! Her husband, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren ALWAYS knew they were loved! She was a devoted sister to her brothers, aunt to her nieces and nephews and friend to many.

Jean was loving, generous, selfless, kind and considerate. She enjoyed entertaining (whether family, friends or Sunday Socials). She enjoyed cooking, shopping and traveling. Mostly, she enjoyed her family. She supported and encouraged her children and grandchildren in all of their many activities. She was a band mom, Girl Scout leader, babysitter, chauffeur, medic, counselor and advisor.

Jean was always a hard worker. She was the office manager for over 30 years for local dentists, Dr. Rex Nowell, Dr. Harold Gregg, and Dr. Michael Stripling, where she interacted with hundreds in this community who still remember her from that office.

In retirement, she and Ebby enjoyed many camping and fishing trips, cruises and Florida football games.

A Christian from an early age, she was a faithful member of Marianna First United Methodist Church and a founding member of the Cliff Abbott Sunday School class. She was active in women’s circles, Guild, Songsters and various committees. She also learned to knit and enjoyed making Prayer Shawls with the FUMC knitters’ group.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward “Ebby” Harris; her parents, Albert and Irene Williams; her brother, Don Williams; and nieces, Anna K. Williams, Sallie Mathis and Jenny Harris.

She is survived by her daughters, Marsha Anderson (David) and Renea Hilton (David); grandchildren, Janna Isabella (Charlie) and Marshall Hilton (Tiffany); brother, Earl Williams (Ellen) and sister-in-law, Margie Williams; great-grandchildren, Charlie, Rhett, and August Isabella; nieces and nephews, Fran Taylor, Scott Harris (Ginger), Mary Bruce Hamilton (Tommy), Amy O’Brien (John), Donald Williams (Marisa), Wyatt Williams (Bethany), Jennifer Booth (Don), and Allison Black (LJ); and a host of cousins and innumerable friends.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Marianna First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Nathan Attwood officiating. A private graveside service will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.

A visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:00 -1:30 pm in the Wesley Center at the First United Methodist Church.

Jean’s family would like to thank Internal Medical Associates (Drs. Steven Spence, Anna Bruner, Julie Smith) for years of exceptional medical care, the staff and therapists of Marianna Health and Rehabilitation, the staff of Somerby Assisted Living, and Emerald Coast Hospice for their compassionate care and services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any of the following: First United Methodist Church of Marianna, One More Child, Chipola College Foundation (Anna K. Williams Memorial Scholarship), or Emerald Coast Hospice.