STARKVILLE — Bennie Wayne Harris, 59, died June 30, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Oktibbeha County. 

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, at Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Thomas J. Boyd officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 1-5 p.m. Friday, at Hairston and Hairston Funeral Homes. Hairston and Hairston Funeral Homes of Starkville is in charge of arrangements. 

Mr. Harris was born March 31, 1967, in Starkville, to Louise Harris Tate and the late Jack Harris Jr. He was a 1985 graduate of Starkville High School and attended Hinds Junior College and Jackson State University. He was formally employed at UPS, the Jackson Zoo and as a medical research technician at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. 

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, William Tate Sr. 

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sisters, Cassandra Boyd and Evelyn Boyd; and brothers, Lyvestra Harris, William Tate Jr. and Dequayle Tate.