Willie Jean Haralson

Willie Jean Haralson, 86, passed away at home into the sheltered arms of God into her new heavenly home on August 3, 2024, after an extended illness. The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Ephesus Baptist Church, Forest, MS, with the memorial service beginning at 5:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow in Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Chris Harrison will officiate under the direction of Wolf Funeral Services in Morton, MS. 

Affectionately referred to as ‘Miss Lott’ by her customers, the majority of her work career was spent at Lott Furniture Company in Forest, MS where she was bookkeeper and manager for Mr. Hilton Boyles and family for 38 years until her retirement in 2004. Jean worked hard all of her life to provide for her family, all while juggling the many hats she wore as wife, daughter, Mother (to her children and many more she claimed was hers!), and servant at Ephesus Baptist Church all of her life where she served in capacities of Sunday School teacher, Children’s Choir Director, Adult Choir, any committee where there was a need, and chairperson of the Building and Grounds Committee in the later years of her life until she was unable to fulfill her duties. She was most happy when she was cooking for a family in need, planning a wedding or baby shower for a church member (she coordinated hundreds of them!), cooking Sunday lunch for her family every week, canning vegetables from their garden, or attending a school function to support her children. She had so many friends that she adored and loved talking on the phone with them to check on their well-being or just catch up on the Ringgold scoop for the week! Among her many talents, she was an exceptional seamstress, making many clothes for her family. For many years she made a bunny rabbit for every new baby being born into the church with detailed dressing of blue or pink. She was a talented artist with many paintings she accomplished in her retirement years. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren called her ‘Ma Jean’ and she loved them all dearly and soaked up the love and hugs from them, especially these last years of failing health. If you knew her, you know that she would say exactly what was on her mind without hesitation, so you didn’t have to guess what she was thinking! The wit about her was contagious, as was her smile. She never met a stranger and would drive to town and shop around knowing she would run into some of her customers or friends for a quick visit! The joy she had until her last breath came from her love for the Lord and her love for serving people. Although she was bed-bound the past two and a half years, her positive attitude stood firm and was an inspiration to all who spent time with her. 

Jean is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Billy Joe Haralson, Kendall Haralson (son), Jack Hartman (Father), Opal Hartman (Mother), Betty Chappell (sister), Troy Hartman (Brother), Brenda Haralson (daughter-in-law), brothers-in-law Gene Turner, Joe Partridge, Robert Haralson, James Gray Haralson, Kenneth Myers and Jerry Goss, sisters-in-law Jane Hartman, Darlene Goss, Louise Haralson, and Diane Haralson.

She is survived by her daughter Cindy Greer (Allen – her favorite son-in-law), Lake, MS; three grandchildren – Jennifer Money (Randy), Jessica Jones and Lloyd Haralson and ten great-grandchildren – Lyndi, Savannah and Keylee Money, Korey, Layla and Jaxon Jones, Bailey and Brandon Prestige, Kaydence and Alex Haralson, all of Forest, MS, sisters Joyce Partridge of Jackson, MS and Dot Turner of Newton, MS, sister-in-law Nancy Myers of Forest, MS. Aunt Jean dearly loved the host of nieces and nephews that survive her. Her companion and security guard, Mollie, will miss her so. Serving as pallbearers: Jaxon Jones, Korey Jones, Randy Money, Steve Usry, Bobby Haralson, Doug Slattery and David Thompson. Honorary Pallbearers are her ‘Girls’ who took care of her every need and provided exceptional care for her these last years: Jessica Jones, Janet Chambers, Karen Poole, Rosemary Latham, Maxine Grafton and Layla Jones Special thanks from the family to the nurses at Sta-Home Health, Mississippi Home Care and Heart of Hospice for the loving care they provided.

The family requests that memorials be sent to Ephesus Baptist Church or The Gideon’s International.