COLUMBUS — June M. Harris, 76, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 4, 2017, at Trinity Nursing Home in Columbus, MS.  Arrangements are being handled by Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS.  A family memorial will be held on April 30, 2017 in her hometown of Crystal Springs, MS.

Mrs. Harris was born in Lumberton, MS. She grew up in the Methodist Children's Home until the age of 10, when she was adopted by the late Mackey and Hettie Ferguson of Crystal Springs, MS. She graduated from Crystal Springs High School in 1958, despite spending most of her senior year in a hospital bed following a car accident.  She was crowned Miss Crystal Springs in 1958.

June, or "Marge" as she was known to most, worked as a bookkeeper in the lumber industry for many years, most recently with Frierson Bailey Lumber in Jackson and for over 20 years with Hazlehurst Lumber Company in Hazlehurst, MS.  Prior to working in the lumber industry, she was an executive secretary with Bernstein & Sons Clothing (formerly Crystal Springs Shirt Factory) for many years.

She discovered a hidden talent for painting late in her life, after being diagnosed with lung cancer.  She loved to ride around with her sister-in-law, Linda R. Bounds and take pictures of local scenery which she would use as inspiration for her nature paintings.  She also loved her kids and grandkids, siblings and their families, animals, bowling, and playing bingo at the American Legion.

Mrs. Harris is preceded in death by birth parents Sidney and Evelyn Norton Bounds and her adopted father Mackey Ferguson and mother Hettie Ferguson.

She is survived by a brother, S. R. "Buddy" (Linda) Bounds of Jackson, MS; two sisters, Kathy Reisdorfer of Eagan, MN and Eva Revels of New Port Richy, FL.  Her children, Debbie (Steve) Berry of Crystal Springs, MS; Diane Miley of Madison, MS; Gary (Jennifer) Harris of Collierville, TN; David (Angie) Harris of Tuscaloosa, AL; and Kathy Harris Cox of Collierville, TN; 8 grandchilden and 2 great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to either the Methodist Children's Homes of Mississippi or Community Animal Rescue and Adoptions (C.A.R.A) of Mississippi.