Thera Lou Hinson Harris, 83, of Crystal Village, Washington County, Florida went to sing in the Heavenly Choir on September 5, 2022. She was born on November 19, 1938, to parents, Theron G. Hinson and Jessie Tyler Hinson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theron and Jessie Hinson, her beloved brother, Leonard Francis Hinson, her niece, Mary Lynn Hinson, her sister-in-law, Mary Bush Hinson and her son-in-law, Dale Cochran. Survivors include Raymond L. Harris, the love of her life; her daughters, Ramona Harris Cochran and Sherri Rosanne Harris; her son, Johnny Harris and wife, Susan; her grandsons, Joshua Dale Cochran and Brandon Alex Cochran and granddaughter, Darea Elizabeth Sliger; her beloved great granddaughter, Brianna L. Cochran and her mother Amber Martinez, her nephew, L. Francis Hinson, Jr. and his family.
Music was Thera’s lifelong passion, profession, and hobby. From the age of 15, she could be found any Sunday morning at the piano, organ, or directing the choir for services at the United Methodist Church. After graduating from Gulf Coast Jr. College and FSU, Thera began her teaching career, which included 28 years at Chipley High School as a media specialist, 9 years as a chorus teacher, and 13 years as a television production teacher. After retiring, she worked in Vernon schools three more years as a media specialist and Band instructor. Her music and TV students earned many prestigious awards and honors during those years. Thera held memberships in Delta Kappa Gamma, American Guild of Organists, Florida Vocal Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Association of Media in Education, Florida Education Association, and Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs where she served two years as State Musicians. She also served as music director of Panama City Women’s Club Red Stocking Revue for two years. Thera was always proud of her small-town roots and always helped to plan and organize the Vernon High School Class of 1956 yearly reunions. Thera was a member of the St. Andrew United Methodist Church located at 2001 West 11th Street, Panama City, Florida where she served many years as an organist, pianists, and choir director at different times.
Her funeral services will be held at St. Andrew United Methodist Church on September 12, 2022, Monday at 10:30 AM. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the church. Graveside and interment will be Monday at 1:30 PM in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Hinson’s Crossroad, Washington County, Florida with Peel Funeral Home, Bonifay, Florida in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers please donate in her name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-0050.