Eleanor Fae Harris, 93, of Cullman, Alabama, formerly of Pell City, Alabama, was born January 12, 1933, in Pell City, Alabama (Mill Village), and passed away August 21, 2026. A woman of steady faith and quiet strength, Eleanor's life was marked by devotion to the Lord, to her family, and to the work set before her. In every season, she carried herself with thoughtful care for others and a resilience that met life's demands with grace.
Fae was a graduate of Pell City School and later attended Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan College) in South Carolina. Her strong work ethic guided her through a variety of roles, including employment at Union State Bank in Pell City, Alabama, and secretarial work in Chicago, Illinois, and Cleveland, Ohio.
For 52 years, Fae was married to Rev. Tillmon J.C. Harris, and together they built a life of service. As a pastor's wife and "parsonage queen extraordinaire," she supported ministry and community life in Kent, Ohio; West Blocton, Alabama; Pell City, Alabama; and Birmingham, Alabama. She also served as a Child Evangelism Fellowship Coordinator, giving her time and energy to the spiritual care of children and families.
A lifelong member of Pell City Bible Methodist Church (formerly Wesleyan Methodist Church), Eleanor was also the church historian—faithfully preserving the memories and milestones of the congregation she loved. Her constancy was evident in her long devotion to the Pell City Bible Methodist Camp, which she attended from its founding in 1938 until this past July Camp meeting (2026).
Fae's hands were rarely still. She sewed all the family's clothing and was known as a "Cook and Chief extraordinaire," offering nourishment that carried the warmth of home. Her creativity and diligence shone through sewing, cooking, crocheting (which she taught to her granddaughters), cross-stitching, and gardening. At home, her thoughtful attention to detail was reflected in her immaculate housekeeping—an outward sign of the care she gave to the people and places entrusted to her.
Fae was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Tillmon J.C. Harris; her father, Thurman Burnham; her mother, Audrey White Burnham; her son, Steven Duane Harris; her son-in-law, Roger Stratton; her brother, Sonny Burnham; her sister, Pauline Dean (Leon); her brother, Gene Burnham (Pauline); her great granddaughter, Breanna Stratton; and her great grandson, Hudson Pepple.
She is survived by her daughters, Sharon Harris Stratton and Rhonda Harris Pepple; her daughter-in-law, Sharon Harris Smith; her son-in-law, Rev. Mike Pepple; her grandchildren, Steve Harris (Lauren), Wendy Harris Harbison (Blake), Katrina Stratton, Nathaniel Stratton (Kayla), Bradley Pepple (Kendra), Heather Pepple Joslin (Benjamin), and Grant Pepple; her great grandchildren, Lachlan Harbison, Loralie Harbison, Brayden Stratton, Eli Harris, Brantley Stratton, Benjamin Harris, Isaiah Pepple, Jamin Joslin, Harris Pepple, and Heath Joslin; her sister, Patty Bean (Harold); Honorary Grandsons: Graham, Grant, Grady, and Grey Smith, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, church family members, and friends.
A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held at Bible Methodist Church, 618 Martin St N, Pell City, AL 35125, on August 23, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will follow at the same location on August 23, 2026, at 4:00 pm. A Committal Service will take place at Oak Ridge Cemetery, 231 Martin St N, Pell City, AL 35125, on August 23, 2026, at 5:00 pm.
The family expresses sincere gratitude to Southern Care New Beacon Hospice Hanceville Office—especially Social Worker Karen and Nurse Grace—for their compassionate care and support.
