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Debra & Jerry Sisson Named 2024 Esprit de Corps Award Winners

Congratulations to our 2024 Esprit de Corps Award recipients, Debra and Jerry Sisson.

Esprit de Corps means a common spirit of enthusiasm and devotion to a cause among the members of a group. Over the years we have paid tribute to a person, couple, or business that has made extraordinary contributions to Harding Academy. The recipients, by nature, have exhibited a spirit of devotion and cooperation resulting in a positive and lasting impact upon Harding Academy. 

She was born in Tuscumbia, AL, and moved around with her parents and two siblings before finally settling in Memphis, TN. They attended the Berclair Church of Christ, and she went on to graduate from Memphis State University with a degree in home economics.

He was born and raised in Memphis, TN. The third of seven children, his family also attended the Berclair Church of Christ where he may have spied a cute girl in the youth group. However, a romance did not blossom until he was completing a business degree in administration at the Memphis State University.

They married in August before he began law school. With her support, he earned his law degree and license and helped build his family’s business and law firm. They welcomed four children (all Harding alumni) into their family– Jennifer, Elizabeth, Lydia, and Allan. 

This led to their first direct involvement in Harding as volunteers for Parents Club at the Quince Road campus. He was one of the first fathers to do so. He also helped coach elementary sports teams, and she helped in the school’s library.

As their children grew, she began working in various roles at Harding Academy and has now served students and families for 22 years. She is currently part of the communications/development team, providing parents with professional-quality pictures of their children’s school activities from plays to concerts to sports. 

He was active in the Jaycees as a young professional and later served on the board of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. 

She is an avid runner and cyclist who completed the Memphis in May triathlon while raising small children. As her children grew and began to enjoy running, she completed the St. Jude Marathon multiple times—each with a different child. Recently she completed a Metric Century ride in the Mississippi Delta, and she has placed in her age group several times at the Happy in Memphis 5k, which she also sponsors along with her husband.  

All four of their children were involved in the performing arts during their time at Harding, and they have continued to support that department through the Fine Arts Endowment. They both are incredibly generous with both their time and their resources. Their quiet, humble, and faithful service to Harding Academy and our mission have been inspiring, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support.

Their family has grown to include three son-in-laws, one daughter-in-law, and eight grandchildren with one more on the way. They continue to be a tremendous support to their adult children and are active and involved grandparents.