Joyce Harris McPherson

Published 1:21 pm Sunday, December 24, 2017

Joyce Harris McPherson, 86, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, surrounded by her family. Joyce was born Oct. 31, 1931, in Oxford, Mississippi, but spent most of her childhood in Greenwood. She graduated from Greenwood High School in 1949, where she was head majorette.

In 1953, she earned a degree in secretarial science from Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus. Later that year, she married Dr. Frank McPherson, her husband of 57 years.

For the first five years of their marriage, she worked for Pan American Oil Company in New Orleans while her husband attended medical school and started his surgery residency.

Upon the birth of her first child, she retired from work and dedicated her life to being a wife and mother to three children.

She also had the pleasure of helping raise her grandson Jason through his school years. The family is forever grateful for the loving care that Jason reciprocated to his grandparents in their later years.

After her husband completed his medical training, the couple moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1964, where she resided for the remainder of her life.

Joyce enjoyed being an active member in the community, where she was president of the Mercy Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the Antique Club, Town and Country Garden Club, and the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary.

Her true passion was serving in various capacities at Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She was president of the United Methodist Women, member of the Administration Board, Bible Study Circle Leader, Friendship Sunday School Class, and Salvation Army food outreach.

In addition, she gained many lifelong friendships through her supper clubs, bridge clubs, and birthday lunch bunch for which she was a part of for over 50 years. She will be remembered as a gracious southern lady with a caring nature who was always dressed for the occasion.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Frank Taylor McPherson; her parents, Alfred Arlington and Viola Faust Harris of Jackson; and her brother-in-law, John William McPherson of Indianola.

Survivors include son, Dr. Scott McPherson of Ridgeland; son Jeff (Tracie) McPherson of Madison; and daughter Susan (Chris) Barnett of Vicksburg.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jason Bishop of Vicksburg, Allison (Gary) Nash of Little Rock, Ark., Hunter McPherson of Vicksburg, Mary Margaret (Jesse) Donahoo of Madison, Cole McPherson of Memphis, Tenn., Anne Tatum McPherson of Madison and Madeline McPherson of Jackson; two great-grandchildren, Rhett Halbrook and Townes Harris Donahoo of Madison; and a sister-in-law, Georgia Ann McPherson of Indianola.

Visitation will be held at Crawford Street United Methodist Church in Vicksburg on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 1 p.m. with the service immediately following at 2 p.m.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery in Vicksburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crawford Street United Methodist Church.