COLUMBUS — Joseph Harris, 78, died May 29, 2026. 

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, at New Zion United Methodist Church with Rochon Robinson officiating. Visitation will be from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, at Hairston and Hairston Funeral Home. Hairston and Hairston Funeral Home of Starkville is in charge of arrangements. 

Mr. Harris was born June 1, 1948, in Oktibbeha County to the late Jimmy Lee Harris Sr. and Geraldine Hall-Harris. He attended B.L. Moor High School and was a veteran of the United States Army. He was formally employed at Hersheed Clock Factory and Flexsteel. He was a member of Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister; brother; and one grandchild. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary Harris; daughters, Jacqueline Epps, Rennette Duck, Roxanne Blair, Victoria Macon, all of Starkville, April Harris of Biloxi, Carla Childs of Memphis, Tennessee, and Jannette Gholar of Columbus; son, Jimmy Atkins of Tupelo; sisters, Donnie Outlaw, Rosella Austin and Linda R. Harris, all of Starkville; brothers, Curtis Harris and David Harris, both of Chicago, Illinois; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.