Kimberly (Kim) Ann Branscum Harris went to her heavenly home on June 3, 2026, while surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was born December 9, 1971, in Biloxi at Keesler AFB Medical Center to James and Sherry Branscum. She graduated from St. Martin High School in 1990 and went on to MGCCC and the University of Southern Mississippi, initially studying secondary education to become a history teacher before she decided to turn her attention to nursing. She worked as an LPN at several hospitals and nursing homes before landing at the VA in Biloxi for the last 13 years.

While still in high school, Kim began suffering from chronic kidney illness and eventually needed a transplant. Her father’s kidney sustained her for 30 years, and even though life handed her additional health complications, Kim always showed unwavering courage and strength. She could always be counted on for a sarcastic comment or three, and her sense of humor and dry wit never left her. Kim was determined not to let her illness dictate her life and made sure to surround herself with the things she loved: her family, husband, two children, her friends, road trips, concerts, Mexican food, her two Boxer pups Roxy and Ruby, thrift stores, Barbies, owls, the Golden Girls, 80s music, and finding any and every reason to laugh.

Kim is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Vincent and Ethel Lepoma; her paternal grandparents, Richard and Charlene Branscum; her uncle, Vincent Lepoma, and her father-in-law, William Harris, Sr. Those left to cherish her influence and keep her memory alive are her husband, William (Billy) Harris; her children, Mitchell and Hailey Harris; her parents, James and Sherry Branscum; her sister, Stacey Branscum; her niece, Morgan Branscum; her nephew, Camdon Branscum; her aunt and godmother, Mary Lepoma; her uncle, Russell Lepoma; her mother-in-law, Encarnacion Harris; her family and cousins in Texas, and her many friends from school and work.

Kim’s life was full of happiness and joy despite everything that her illness robbed her of. Finding the strength to let her go came from these words by Frances M. Coelho:

In tears we saw you sinking,

We watched you fade away,

You suffered much in silence,

You fought so hard to stay.

You faced your task with courage,

You felt your hope descend,

But still you kept on fighting,

Until the very end.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, at Riemann Family Funeral Home located at 13872 Lemoyne Blvd, in West Jackson County. A service celebrating her life will take place in the funeral home chapel at 7:00 PM. Visit www.riemannfamily.com to share memories and condolences.