MARY JO HARRIS

LAMAR-Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Lamar First Baptist Church for Mary Jo (Frow) Harris, 89, Lamar, who died Thursday, May 28, 2015, at Truman Healthcare Center. Burial was at Lake Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home.

Contributions may be made to the Brad Reed Memorial Scholarship or Lamar First Baptist Church, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent online at www.danielfuneralhome.net.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Gilkey and husband Steve, Lamar and Marianne Elswick and husband Lonnie, Easton, PA; two sons, Jim Harris and wife Glenda, Alamogordo, NM and David Harris and wife Kim, St. Charles; eight grandchildren, John Gilkey and wife Abby, Courtney Gardner and husband Jeff, Katie Gilkey, Adam Reed and wife Denette, Chad Harris, Cory Harris and wife Tina, Andy Harris and wife Alexandra and Allison Harris and 15 great-grandchildren, Jack and Hattie Gilkey, Jordin Colton, Emily, Hannah and William Jeffries, Carter Young, Whittley, Marissa, Benton, Olivia and Chloe Reed and Dalton, Luther and Rohan Harris.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Brad Reed.

Mrs. Harris was born June 11, 1925, at Lamar, to Major James Archibald and Cora Belle (Griffin) Frow. She attended Lamar Schools and graduated high school with the class of 1943. After high school graduation she attended the University of Missouri, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She often told stories of the great times she and her dear friends had at MU. She later worked at the rationing board during World War II.

She became a member of the First Baptist Church in Lamar in 1934 and was always very active in the church. She taught many years, both to children and adults. She also taught Sunday school at Truman Healthcare (Chastains) for over 20 years. She was a longtime member of P.E.O. and had served as president and many other offices. She volunteered at the Good Samaritan Shop, Meals on Wheels and at many church functions. Her greatest joy was being with her family and preparing amazing meals for all to enjoy.

She married the love of her life, Dalton Harris, on March 18, 1945, at the home of her mother, in Lamar. They shared 62 happy years together before his death.