Mr. Thomas “Tommy” Miller Harris, age 88, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away peacefully at his home Friday, October 3, 2025. He was born in Shelbyville, TN to the late George Thomas and Annie Marlin Harris. Tommy was a retired professor emeritus from Middle Tennessee State University. He taught in the English department for over 40 years. Tommy was integral to the workings of what was the Murfreesboro Ensemble Theater during its tenure. Tommy loved to entertain and have many friends around for what was called the Arty Farty Party.
Tommy is survived by his siblings, Lucille Graham, Clemmie Henley, Barbara Faulk, and Ronnie Harris and his wife Joan; numerous nieces and nephews; long time friend, Bill Goodwin; and faithful dachshund, Ava. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Justine Lemmon, Nora Allen, Polly Ford, and Mildred Harris.
The family would like to thank Autumn Radtke of Arosa Care for her careful attention to Tom and his family in the last few months.
Visitation with the family will be Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 11:00am until 1:00pm at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 1:00pm at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in Willow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville, TN.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at https://www.aspca.org/ways-to-give, the Human Rights Campaign at https://www.hrc.org/, or the American Civil Liberties Union at https://action.aclu.org/give/now in memory of Tommy.
