Marilyn Perkins Harris, 74, died Wednesday, April 19, 2006, atthe Jackson Baptist Hospital. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer inBrookhaven, with the Memorial Service following at noon andafterwards internment at the Rosehill Cemetery. Riverwood FamilyFuneral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Marilyn Harris was born March 15, 1932, in Brookhaven, thedaughter of Thomas H. and Clara Whittington Perkins. She marriedJames W. Harris in February 1951.

Marilyn was very active in the arts community. Her interest inart began during her college years at Belmont College and theUniversity of Mississippi. Later she studied under master artiststhroughout the nation and attended numerous workshops in Mexico,including Mississippi’s Marie Hull,

While living in Jackson, she became involved in the MississippiMuseum of Art (MMA). She also became the first president of the MMAAuxiliary, served as intern-director from 1974 to 1985, and wasvoted MMA’s 1984 Volunteer of the Year. Additionally, she was thebuyer for the MMA gift shop and served as its manager in 1980.Marilyn and her husband, James, were charter members of theRembrandt Society (major donors for the MMA). She also served aspresident of the MMA Gallery Guild from 1990 to 1991.

Marilyn was active in Northminister Baptist Church, RiverhillsCountry Club, Jackson Country Club, and The LeFleur Garden Clubwhile she lived in Jackson.

After her husband died in 1993, Marilyn returned to Brookhaven.She then opened an antiques business, Marilyn P. Harris Interiors,and hosted numerous art shows for local and statewide artists.

She was active in the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, ArtsCouncil of the Brookhaven Trust, the Climbers Club and the WildwoodGarden Club. She was a founding Board Director for the MississippiSchool of the Arts in Brookhaven and a charter member in itscreation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Hayes Perkinsand Clara Whittington Perkins; her husband, James W. Harris; hersister, Hortense Perkins Prater; and her brother, Thomas PerkinsIII.

Marilyn is survived by her sons, James Harris, of Houston,Texas, Stephen Harris, of Huntington Beach, Calif., and MichaelHarris, of Brookhaven; her brother, William Perkins, of Brookhaven;and four granddaughters, Kristin Harris, Lauren Harris, StephanieHarris and Chloe Harris.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the BrookhavenEpiscopal Church of the Redeemer or the Mississippi School of theArts, Mary P. Harris Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 229, Brookhaven, MS39602.