After 91 remarkable years, Harriet Dickins Westmoreland departed this earthly life on September 21, 2026. Harriet lived a full and meaningful life marked by dedication to family, service to community, and public health advocacy.

Harriet was born the first of 4 children to Pauline Zorah Miller and John Shufford Dickins. After high school, Harriet left Batesville, MS to earn a Registered Nurse degree from Baptist Hospital in Memphis, TN. She married her high school classmate, James Westmoreland, and she began her life as a wife to a United States Marine. Harriet devoted her nursing career to student health services, public health, and the nursing profession. Not only did Harriet actively practice nursing, but she was also a strong advocate for nursing education, serving nearly 30 years on the Whiston-Hester School of Nursing Development Council. After surviving breast cancer, she mentored newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Harriet was a proud mother of 3 children, Granny to 5 grandchildren, and GG to 10 great-grandchildren. She was completely content spending hours holding a baby, playing with the children, and doing anything extra to make them feel special.

Harriet had many hobbies. She was talented with a needle, whether on a sewing machine or stitching immaculate cross-stitch artwork. She loved gardening and had a green thumb that could make any plant thrive. She was an avid reader, a strong supporter of Tennessee Tech sports, and a mighty opponent when playing Mexican Train, Bridge, or Canasta. Harriet was also a devout member of the First United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, Harriet was preceded in death by her sister, Edna Golden; her brother John Dickens, Jr.; and her oldest son, James Westmoreland, Jr. She is survived by her husband, James Harold Westmoreland; brother, William Dickins (Ann); daughter-in-law, Terresa Westmoreland; daughter, Kristen Stennett (Ricky); son, Robert Westmoreland (Ginger); grandchildren, James III (Brandi), Joshua (Amy), Benjamin (Elizabeth), Bethany (Michael), and Lee (Stacie); as well as 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Berryhill Funeral Home from 1:00 to 2:00 pm.  The funeral will follow at 2:00 pm in the chapel.  A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville, Mississippi, at 277 US-51 S.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the TN Tech-Whitson School of Nursing-Harriet Westmoreland Endowment Fund.  
Please note: You must select Whitson School of Nursing from the list of options.  Also, please make the donation in Memory of the Harriet Westmoreland Endowment Fund.