A phenomenal woman, a praying woman, Mrs. Emily Jean Campbell-Harris was the second of nine children born to the late Luther V. Campbell, Sr. and Annyce M. Perkins-Campbell on December 29, 1944 in Mound Bayou, Mississippi.

Emily began her early Christian education as a toddler, at Azion Missionary Baptist Church, where her paternal grandparents were members.  After her parents moved the family inside the city limits of Mound Bayou, she continued her Christian education at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.  There, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized under the leadership of Reverend A.A. Thompson.  Emily continued her Christian journey as a faithful servant of God under the leadership of Rev. H.Y. Ward, Sr., Rev. Dr. Andrew Hawkins, and currently, Rev. Willie Jackson.  Sister Emily regularly attended Sunday School and worship services.  She was a devoted member of Mt. Olive Church, and dutifully served as a choir member and vacation bible school teacher.  Sister Emily was an active member of the Women's Missionary Ministry, "Teaching, Encouraging and Achieving (TEA)" at Mt. Olive.  She looked forward to the fellowship and outings with her TEA sisters, as they always lifted her spirit.  Sister Emily loved God, and she demonstrated her kinship with God by the love that she had for all people.  Her life was a life of service to mankind.  She was a faithful member until the Lord saw fit to call her home.

Emily formal education began at the B.O. Felder's Early Education School in Mound Bayou, MS.  By third grade, she was enrolled in the Mound Bayou Public School System.  She attended Mound Bayou High School and was a vibrant member of the band.  In the spring of 1962, Emily graduated from Mound Bayou High School with honors.  In the fall of that same year, she began her studies at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, MS.  She pursued her academic goals with a sense of purpose and determination. While preparing for her life's work, she was inspired by goals and objectives of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, an organization of college women devoted to community service.  Thus, in April 1965, she was inducted into the Gama Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  Over a decade later, Emily was a charter member of the Bolivar County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  In furtherance of completing her educational goals, this Eagle Queen soared and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business and Economics from Tougaloo College while at the same time, fulfilled he requirements for teacher certification, graduating in the spring of 1966.  Emily received a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Delta State University in 1969.  Committed to being a life-long learner, she continued to do post-graduate work for self-improvement.

On My 4, 1967, Sister Emily was united in the bond of Holy matrimony with Jesse Lee Harris.  Three priceless children were born to this union- Kings Jesse Varnell and Kwame Sekou, and Queen Nia Malaika.  Emily loved and cherished her family.  She was a God-fearing wife and mother who knew the power of prayer.  She was a selfless mother and virtuous wife, always prioritizing her family and sacrificing her needs for their sake.  With unwavering love and faith in God, she guided her household with grace, instilling values and kindness and understanding.  Her gentle encouragement fostered confidence, making her husband and children feel cherished and secure.  Ultimately, her nurturing spirit and steadfast devotion created a warm home where love, faith and virtue flourished.

Emily began her career journey as an English teacher at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in 1967.  She was an energetic, compassionate and caring teacher.  As the years passed, these qualities never diminished.  Her dedication and resilient efforts toward educating students never faltered.  In 1970, the family moved to Chicago, IL where Emily taught in the Chicago Public Schools System.  After wo years, she returned to Mound Bayou, MS.  She taught adult education classes through the Systematic Training and Re-development (STAR) program at St. Gabriel Catholic School.  Thereafter, she worked as the Office Manager and Accountant for North Bolivar County Farm Cooperative, now known as Alcorn State University Demonstration Farm.  In 1972, Emily returned to the profession she loved dearly, and began teaching at I.T. Montgomery Elementary School in Mound Bayou, MS.  She continued to give her best in service to her students until her retirement in 2009.  Her retirement was short-lived however, because in the wake of the teacher shortage, she returned as an interim teacher to ensure students did not have a gap in instruction, and to assist in raising student test scores on state-mandated exams.  During her professional tenure, Emily was recognized many time for her accomplishments as an outstanding educator.  After 43+ years, Mrs. Emily C. Harris, educator extraordinaire, retired from Mound Bayou Public Schools.

Sister Emily was a servant, committed to the community she so loved.  This was demonstrated through her work as founding director of the Kemetic Institute of Mound Bayou, Incorporated, where she served as treasurer and teacher in the Kemetic Institute Summer Enrichment Program; Charter member of the Bolivar County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; and 20+ Years participant in the Annual Good Friday 20-mile Walk in Braintree, MA, sponsored by Kay Doherty and Sharing, Inc.  (major donors and supporters of the Kemetic Institute).  Emily was a friendly, warm, and compassionate person who loved God, her family and friends, church and community, her Sorority, and all people she knew and met.

God in his infinite wisdom called this Golden Girl, Emily home from her earthly labors Monday morning, October 14, 2024 at 8:45 a.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Annyce Campbell, her husband of 44 years, Lee Lee Harris, her sister, Frankie Campbell Green; and her brothers, Luther D. Campbell and Wilbert Battle, Sr.

Those who will continue to carry her in their hearts and continue to honor her legacy are:  Two sons, Jesse Varnell Harris of Chicago, IL; Kwame Sekou Harris, Sr. (Tina) of Arlington, TX; one daughter, Nia Malaika Harris-Kimble of Memphis, TN; Two bonus children, Velina Williams of Rochester, NY and John Harris of Greenville, MS; Six siblings (Five sisters were fervently call the "Golden Girls" and one Brother):  Alma Christine Campbell, Jackie C. Lucas (William), Wanda C. Stringer, Monica C. Micou, all of Mound Bayou, MS; Annyce R. Campbell-Butler, Pocahontas, MS and Michael R. Campbell of Mound Bayou, MS; two bonus sisters, Barbara Ross of Mound Bayou, MS and Brenda B. Brooks (Robert) of Palmetto, GA; two special cousins, Cornelius Shegog Moore and Rickey Hampton, both of Chicago, IL; two uncles, Jerome Black (Gwen) of San Diego, TX, and Vernon Scott (Helene) of Oak Grove, MO; one Aunt, Verndell S. Sutton of Grandview, MO; Brothers-in-law, William F. Green of Schaumburg, IL, Arthur Lee Jones and Wendell Latham of Chicago, IL, Avon Latham and McKinley Latham of Mound Bayou, MS; Sisters-in-law, Juanita Jones, Janice Harris, and Barbara Latham-Collins all of Chicago, IL, Betty Latham-Kelly of Atlanta, GA, Arceal George of Mound Bayou, MS and Sharon Parker of Riverview, FL.

A grandmother's love is a warm embrace that knows no bounds, a nurturing spirit that enriches every moment.  Grandchildren's love for their grandmother is a treasure, a bond that sparkles with joy and fills their hearts with cherished memories.  "GRANNY" will be missed dearly by her 12 grandchildren:  Corey Jamal Harris, Aerial Nicole Harris, Kwame Sekou Harris, Jr., Kenyian Tahir Kimble, Jeremy Laquinn Smith, Michael Vincent Harris, Myles David Rochelle-Harris, Matthew Akeem Harris, Mark Hasani Harris, Mason Mateo Harris, Sanaya Kamia Harris, and Kamari Malik Harris.

Also left to cherish her memories are her daughter in love, Sonya Havard, bonus son, Shay Kimble, special daughter Eulette Arrington-Harris, and life-long friends Ann Delphin and Kay Doherty--along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.