Thelma “Nell” Harris, age 97, born June 18, 1924, passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2021, in Gulfport.

Nell was born in Mississippi and was raised in the Palmer Children’s Home. She lived in Chicago for many years and was a long-time resident of Long Beach. She worked as a telephone operator in Gulfport. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing golf and bridge. She was a member of Church of the Good Shepherd in Long Beach.  She was a “Proud Christian, Dedicated to Serving the Lord.” 

Nell was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Harris; her father, Daniel Earl Pilgrim; her mother, Corrine Spradley; her stepmother, Emma Hancock Pilgrim; and her siblings, Burrice Pilgrim (Jesse), Robert Hancock (Rae), Juanita Kranz (Dorine), Myrtise Ditter (Jack) and Ida Mae Pilgrim.

Survivors include her son, Gus Harris (Dona); her daughter, Mary Harris Bolton (Karen); 2 grandchildren, Erica Vickerman (Tom) and Stephanie Harris (Robert); 6 great-grandchildren, Tommy, Mya, Kyle, Kali, Lukas and Grayson; and her nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.

Friends may visit the Harris family for visitation and services on Monday, November 15, 2021, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 1:00 p.m.   Entombment will follow at Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi.

Memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Good Shepherd (www.goodshepherd.family), St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) or to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org).

The online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com