Mary Ann Gosnell Harris

Rev Ann Harris (Mary Ann Gosnell Harris), 80, of Greenville, SC, was called home just in time to celebrate with Jesus. She brightened the world from August 23, 1944, to December 22nd, 2024. Her final hours were spent peacefully, holding the hand of her beloved husband, and surrounded by her adoring family. 

Ann was raised in tough and humble circumstances in the Dark Corner of North and South Carolina. She is predeceased by her father, Otho Whit Gosnell, mother Ruth Pace Gosnell, and all eight of her siblings whom she’d helped to raise; sisters Rev Sue Hickey, Virginia “Bug” Kirby, Freida Gosnell; brothers Alvin “Fatty” Gosnell, Calvin “Teeny” Gosnell, Dean Gosnell, Jerry Gosnell, and Ronald Gosnell.

She met the love of her life, Paul Daniel Harris, at age 16. The pair married two weeks later on September 7th, 1960 and soon set off for Page, Arizona in a 1958 Studdabaker- their first of many adventures spanning nearly 65 years together. 

In addition to raising three children, Ann served as a security guard, beautician, mail carrier, Channel 16 Prayer Warrior, and Reverend. She spent her retirement walking 10 miles a day around Swan lake and the grounds of Furman University offering companionship and prayer to anyone she encountered along the way. 

Ann was often a contradiction of terms- she’d back you in a fist fight one minute and be laying healing hands and anointing oil on someone the next minute. Ann was tenacious and fierce. Despite her challenging upbringing, she built a full and vibrant life. With Paul’s help, Ann taught herself how to read and write. Ann was ahead of the crowd in the early 90’s. At the age of 50, she bought and taught herself how to use a personal computer. She loved learning and adventure. Over the years, she taught herself how to play the piano, the accordion, and even a bit of Hebrew. She loved fashion- especially shoes, pens, roses, and waterfall hikes. She believed in laughter therapy and her skill at finding joy in the darkest of times increased her faith in the Lord.

The common thread for Ann in all of her endeavors was sharing her love for the Lord. 

Ann suffered well for Jesus and gave new meaning to a “Harris Goodbye”. She lived with dementia for nearly sixteen years and gave her final goodbyes over a two week span. She is survived by her beloved husband Paul Daniel Harris, daughter Pamela Sue Harris, sons Paul Steven Harris, Richard Scott Harris; her honorary daughter Trena Hartin; grandchildren Ashly, Jessica, Candice, Blake, Jacob, and Kassi; and great grandchildren Olivia, Noah, Caroline, Phillip, and Violet.

In honor of her remarkable spirit and legacy, a memorial walk and picnic will be held at Furman University in Spring 2025. Details to follow.

Until we embrace her again, we’ll cherish her memory emblazoned in our hearts.