Rose Mary Harris (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Rose Mary (Jennings) Harris, 88, of Lebanon, Missouri, died November 15, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
Rose Mary was born January 5, 1930, in Granite City, Illinois to Edith (Smallwood) and Fred Jennings, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Alta Mae (Jennings) Constantinides; and by three half-siblings, James Jennings, Mildred (Jennings) Hill, and Leona (Jennings) Smith.
She spent her younger years in Raymondville, Missouri, and graduated from Houston High School in 1947. She remained in close contact with many of her former classmates.
On January 29, 1949, Rose Mary married Calvin Ernest Harris, who preceded her in death in 2008. Rose Mary is survived by four children, Rebecca West and her husband Brad, Robin Bagby and her husband Chuck, John Harris and his wife Sandy, and Kathryn Kline and her husband Chris. Also surviving are ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.
For many years, the Harris family was actively engaged in pork production, with their Laclede County farm hosting many visitors and tours. The University of Missouri Extension Service selected Rose Mary as one of two "lady" instructors, to teach a new project, Farrowing Schools for women who were interested in pork production. These farrowing schools resulted in Rose Mary being invited to speak at several universities and privately sponsored seminars and conferences in the United States and Canada.
Through the years, Rose Mary completed her college degree from Columbia College, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and earning a dual degree in psychology and business administration. She worked as a social work assistant at Fort Leonard Wood in the Family Advocacy Program until retiring.
Rose Mary grew up in the United Methodist Church and attended the First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) in Lebanon. She spent many years teaching child and adult Sunday school classes and Bible study programs.
Her favorite times were spent with grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing games, planning picnics, picking berries, and gathering lunch from the garden. Her family, friends, and neighbors will never forget how kind she was, her encouraging words, her smile, her laugh, and the unconditional love she always showed.
A memorial service for Rose Mary Harris will be held Friday, Dec. 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon. Friends are encouraged to meet following the service to visit. Burial will be in the Allen Cemetery in Raymonville at a later date.
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