Louise Wilson Harris, a retired educator, passed away peacefully on December 23 at the age of 77. She is survived by her son, Chris Harris of Madison, Alabama, and her brother, Dwayne Wilson (Jill) of Wildersville, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Don Harris, and her mother, Zula Bradfield Wilson.
Mrs. Harris was an active member of the Broad Street Church of Christ, where she taught Bible classes for more than 30 years. She and her husband also coordinated the church’s funeral food committee for more than 15 years.
Born on August 20, 1948, in Wildersville, Tennessee, Louise lived in the Christian Chapel community of Wildersville, as well as in Louisville, Kentucky, and Lexington, Tennessee. She attended Christian Chapel School, Beaver, Pin Oak, Lexington City School, and Lexington High School.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bethel College, a master’s degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene University, and also attended Freed-Hardeman College. Louise was a talented basketball player, earning the nickname “Big Red” due to her red hair and tenacity on the court. She helped lead Lexington High School to three state tournaments in four years and also played a role in the early development of the women’s basketball program at Memphis State University. She always remained a loyal supporter of the Lexington and Memphis Tigers.
Louise and Don were married on December 17, 1983, at the Broad Street Church of Christ in Lexington, Tennessee. Both were educators at Paul G. Caywood School, where they became close friends before eventually dating—a relationship their students encouraged. Their lives changed forever on August 30, 1984, with the birth of their son, Christopher. They spent countless nights at ball practices and games, proudly never missing a moment. Their love for one another and devotion to their family served as a shining example of Christian love.
Mrs. Harris devoted 36 years to education, teaching at South Haven, Westover in Henderson County, and Paul G. Caywood School, where she spent 24 years teaching eighth-grade English and literature. Her classes were challenging yet fair. Notably, she guided students through Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and explored the power of the human spirit through The Diary of Anne Frank. She developed a grammar guide for her students that became known as “Mrs. Harris’ Holy Bible of English.” Former students often stopped by her home or classroom to pick up a copy to help them with writing projects in high school or college. After retiring from public education, she continued teaching for six more years at Jackson Christian School.
In the early 1980s, Mrs. Harris escorted two groups of high school students to Europe under the supervision of the People-to-People High School Student Ambassador Program, established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Students toured several European countries and lived with host families in three of them.
Her hobbies included ancestry research—tracing family roots back to the 1400s—antiquing (or “junking”) for hidden treasures, long yard sales, crafts, traveling the world on student and family trips, decorating her home for every holiday (with Christmas holding an extra special place in her heart), and hosting gatherings. She loved developing recipes and showcasing her culinary talents. Her home became a bakery around the holidays as she made homemade Reese’s peanut butter cups, fudge, and butterscotch delights each year for students, family, and friends. If you were lucky enough, you probably received some as gifts over the years. She also had a genuine love for sports, supporting Chris’s journey in sports broadcasting and attending live games from coast to coast.
Louise often reflected that her life spanned from the era of party-line telephones to a time when nearly everyone carried a cell phone capable of instant communication around the world.
Mrs. Harris wrote that she lived her life by these truths: treat others as you want to be treated; put others first; honor God and fellow man; and demonstrate for her students the character they would aspire to emulate. She shaped the lives of thousands, inspiring them not only through instruction but by equipping them with the tools needed to succeed in life.
Louise loved life, her students, her family—but most of all, she loved her Lord and Savior.
Funeral services are scheduled for 12 PM, Saturday, December 27, at Broad Street Church of Christ in Lexington. Interment will follow in Christian Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday at Pafford Funeral Home from 3 – 8 PM and on Saturday, at Broad Street Church of Christ, from 9 AM until time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family would love for donations to be made to St. Jude Research Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Association in the name of Don and Louise Harris.
