Jan. 25, 1926 – Dec. 28, 2019

 

NATCHEZ— Services for Julia Rose Matthews Harris, 93, affectionately known as “Shug,” of Natchez, who died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Jackson, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Road, with the Rev. Ernest Ford Sr. officiating.  

Burial will follow at the Watkins Street Cemetery under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 5 p.m. today with a “Celebration of Life” wake service at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will continue Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Mrs. Harris was born Jan. 25, 1926, in Natchez, the daughter of James Matthews Sr. and Mary Louise Gordon Matthews.

She attended Overton School and was a member of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. Julia enjoyed attending church services, cooking, quilting and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Audley Hargraves; four sisters; and three brothers.

Survivors include three sons, the Rev. Dr. Paul Matthews, Leon Harris Jr., and the Rev. W.D. Harris and wife, Rosie; one daughter, Cathy Harris Norwood and husband, the Rev. Henry Norwood; three stepdaughters, Shauna Harris, Edna Ford and Linda Hargraves; 38 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at westgatefh.com.