Jo Ann (Black) Harris, widow of Eron “Red Dog” Harris, of Rossville, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2024 in her home at the age of 90. Jo Ann was born August 15, 1933 in Golden, MS the youngest of five children to Isaac Moman Black and Gertrude Davis Black.
She married Red Dog on August 27, 1955. They were the most perfect pair at each phase of life and loved each other well for their 66 years and 187 days of marriage. Their grandchildren could not imagine two individuals more appropriate for each other.
In August of 1971, she was hired as one of the first non-pastoral employees to work at Central Church (then known as Central Cumberland Presbyterian Church) as the church Secretary, and eventually served a long tenure as the Director of Senior Adults, retiring in 2023. She also spent the majority of her life outside of Central Church serving the senior community in various roles such as the President of the local Council on Aging, Chairperson for The Mid-South Fair Senior American Day and the Chairperson for the Delta Fair Senior Day, among others.
It would be easier to include activities Jo Ann wasn’t involved with than those she was. To name a few more, she loved sports, Ole Miss in particular, and served on the Board of for the Memphis Rebel Club for over 25 years, including more than one term as the chair. She was also a past President of the Tennessee State Ladies 600 Bowling Club and on the local Board of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Along with her parents, Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Red Dog, her daughter, Sherrye Harris Clark, her four sisters and her brother. Jo Ann is survived by three grandchildren, Erin (Katie) Wadlington, Meredith (SGNJ) Wadlington and Tyler (Caitlin) Wadlington; three great-grandchildren, Cora, Harris and Annie Wadlington; and several nieces and nephews, all of whom she greatly adored. In her final months, the most dangerous place to be was between her and Baby Annie.
Family and friends will gather for visitation on Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. Funeral services will be Monday, February 26, beginning at 10:30 AM at Central Church, 2005 E. Winchester Road, Collierville, TN 38017, preceded by an additional visitation at 9:30. A private family burial will follow.
Memorials in Jo Ann's memory should be sent to Central Church (2005 E Winchester Blvd., Collierville, TN 38017) or Creative Aging Memphis (13 S. Prescott St., #11914, Memphis, TN 38111).
