Madeline Ann (Gambill) Harris

Survived her devoted children, Steve Harris (Connie Harris) and Lori Harris (Ed Qualls), four cherished grandchildren; Jenny Loren (Isaac), Carrie Stokes (Justin), Henri Harris-Qualls, and Sofie Harris-Qualls; great-grandson (Ian Smith); her beloved sister, Nancy Gambill Roland; nephew Pat Roland and nieces, Tanya Todd (Andy) and Lisa Smiley (Richard).

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wendell K. Harris; her parents, Charles and Kathryn Carroll Gambill; brother-in-law, Frank Roland, her niece, Cindy Roland; and her lifelong friend, Carolyn Ayers Siegfried.

Madeline lived a life defined by love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family. One of the greatest joys of her life was becoming a mother. She and her husband lovingly adopted their son and later their daughter as infants, a blessing she remained immensely proud of throughout her life. Raising her children and creating a warm, loving home was her life's greatest accomplishment.

She attended Christ The King School and St. Bernard Academy. She was a member of Ladies of Charity and attended Mass for many years at St. Edward Catholic Church and Christ The King. Early in her career, she worked as a personal shopper at Harvey's Department Store where she honed her sense of style and grace and later spent a brief time working for the State of Tennessee. While she enjoyed those positions, nothing brought her greater fulfillment than being a wife, mother, and homemaker. She poured her heart into raising her children (and sometimes their friends) and building a beautiful life centered on love, family, and faith.

An avid reader, Madeline especially loved a good mystery and could often be found immersed in the pages of a suspenseful novel. She was a low-key artist and crafter and expressed her creativity through painting, quilting, and knitting. She also had a passion for travel and, together with her beloved husband, explored all 50 states, Canada, and numerous countries throughout Europe and South and Central America. Their travels created a lifetime of treasured memories and stories.

She found beauty in life's simple pleasures—a garden of flowers, especially those planted by her mother, the companionship of her beloved dogs, and the quiet comfort of a good book. Friends and family often remarked that she was simply meant to be the parent of young children. She possessed a remarkable gift for making every child feel loved, safe, and special, offering patience, warmth, encouragement, fun, and unconditional love. She never met a child who didn't leave feeling just a little more loved.

Madeline's quiet strength, gentle wit, generous heart and her passion for a warm sunny day will be remembered as fondly as her unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the values she instilled, and the countless lives she touched through her compassion, grace, and kindness. While those who loved her will miss her deeply, they find comfort imagining her reunited with Wendell.

The family wishes to thank the staff and residents at NHC at The Trace for their loving kindness, care and friendship extended to Madeline.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Donate Life, Williamson County Animal Shelter or John P. Holt Brentwood Library in Madeline’s honor.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Friday, July 24, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am with a graveside service to follow at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204.