Mary Stella Boykin Harrison
(February 10, 1930 – January 10, 2022)

Mary Stella Boykin Harrison of Raleigh, Mississippi left her earthly home for her heavenly home on January 10, 2022. Mary Stella was born February 10, 1930 on the old Boykin homestead near Burns, a special placed she called home for most of her joyous and purposeful life.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Gasque Chapel United Methodist Church at SCR 32-B, Raleigh, Mississippi. Help us recreate Stella's garden in full bloom by wearing your favorite shades of purple.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Gasque Chapel United Methodist Church in Raleigh, Mississippi. Special music will be provided by Gilba Webb. The burial will follow in Gasque Chapel Cemetery. Brother Jerry Farr will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is in charge of arrangements.  601-849-5031

Mary Stella was a dedicated and award-winning special education instructor for 40 years. She touched the lives of countless children and continued to exchange letters and calls with her former students to the present. She was a gifted pianist, gardener, cook, and artist. An avid animal lover, she provided a warm and loving home to many lucky cats and dogs over the years. Stella enjoyed traveling, especially with her late husband Junior, and has stamps in her passport from around the globe. Delightfully sassy and endlessly kind, she was always ready with a quick one-liner, a big hug, or both. Stella was a lifelong member of Gasque Chapel UMC who loved attending church, singing, playing piano, and supporting her church families however she could. Stella's creativity, humor, and compassion sparked the same in all who knew her, and her light shines on through the many lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Junior Harrison; father, Jeff Boykin; mother, Amanda Boykin; brother, Willie Clayton Boykin (Tommie); and sister, Avie Myrle Boykin.

Survivors include her step-son, Albert Earl Harrison (Nina) of Burns, MS; step-daughters, Susie Harrell, Ruby Jewel Piner, and Betty Ann Hayman all of Burns, MS; numerous step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; niece, Jessica Boykin of Raleigh, MS; special friend, Sue Sherman of Taylorsville, and sister-in-laws, Odell Richardson of Burns, MS, Billie Gibbs of MS; and a host of other family members and friends.

Pallbearers will be Mason Hayman, Preston Harrison, Casey McLemore, Glen Hayman, Dennis Alexander, and Robbie Webb.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Arc of Mississippi. The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

An online guestbook may be signed at
www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com