Jill Harris, an assistant principal at Johnson Elementary School, died Sunday morning at Heartland Hospice in Cartersville.

Harris, who was the focus of the “Pray for Jill” campaign taken up by Johnson Elementary students, faculty and parents, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Last month’s Relay for Life walk at the elementary school was in her honor.

Harris is survived by her husband, Eric Harris, along with her son Denver and daughter Whitney.

George Brombacher, principal at Johnson Elementary, said the entire school family was saddened by the news.

“We’re all devastated,” he said. “We knew it was coming. We prayed and prayed, but the Lord answers our prayers in his way.”

Floyd County Schools spokesman Tim Hensley said the loss of Harris would affect the entire school system.

“In the last few weeks we knew she wasn’t doing well, and it’s a sad day for all of us in the system,” he said. “We’re thinking of the family and keeping them in our prayers.”

Harris had been an assistant principal at Johnson Elementary for seven years. Prior to her work for the Floyd County School system, Harris had worked as lead special education teacher for Cloverleaf Elementary School in Bartow County. She was a graduate of Shorter College, Kennesaw State University and Jacksonville State University.

School guidance counselor Cathy Powell said the new school year wouldn’t be the same without her.

“I think that Jill will still be with us there spiritually,” Powell said. “She’ll always be looking down at that school, along with other administrators that have passed on. We’re a close-knit faculty and staff. That’s why we call all of our coworkers the Johnson family.”

The family will receive friends Monday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, in Carters­ville.

The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 112 E. Church St. in Cartersville, with the internment following at Floyd Memory Gardens on U.S. 411 in Rome.

Click here to see a map of Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Click here to see a map of Floyd Memory Gardens.

Click here to see a map of Johnson Elementary School.