Thelma Harris (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Thelma Lee Greeno Harris, daughter of Newell and Bessie Ewing Shriver, was born March 21, 1932, in Decatur, Illinois. She departed this life Sunday, February 5, 2012, in Mercy Hospital in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-nine years, ten months, and fourteen days.
On May 9, 1979, she was united in marriage to Bobby Joe Harris, and they shared the last thirty-two years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Kenneth Shriver; and two sisters, Pauline Salmon, and Loraine Shriver.
Thelma is survived by her husband, Bobby, of the home; a daughter, Thelma Lewis, of Lebanon, Missouri; three sons, Charles Greeno, of Lebanon, Missouri, Philip Greeno, of Hot Springs, Nebraska, and Jeffrey Greeno, of Lebanon, Missouri; a stepson, Bobby Joe Harris, Jr., of Statesville, North Carolina; nine grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in Decatur, Illinois, and in various locations in the Southwest United States. She served her country faithfully in the Unites States Army from 1950 until 1952, and was stationed in Germany during part of that time. After being honorably discharged from the Army, she came back to the Rolla, Missouri area, and began a twenty-six year career working for the civil service, beginning at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. She was also a devoted homemaker and loving mother to her family. She lived in Germany from 1967 until 1971, and then came back to the Newburg community. She later worked at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and at Falls Church, Virginia. She and Bobby eventually retired to Lebanon, Missouri, in 1992.
Thelma was baptized and raised in the Catholic faith.
She and Bobby began working with the American Red Cross in 1997, and have served people in need all across the United States. For her actions as a volunteer with the Red Cross, Thelma was named a Lebanon Hometown Hero of the Year in 2004. In her spare time she enjoyed singing and playing the guitar and piano. She also was talented at yodeling. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Thelma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them throughout the years.
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