Mary Jo Harris

Mary Jo (Frow) Harris, age 89, of Lamar, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2015, at Truman Healthcare Center.    Mary Jo was born June 11, 1925 at Lamar, Missouri, the daughter and only child of Major James Archibald and Cora Belle (Griffin) Frow.  She attended Lamar Schools and graduated high school in 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. Mary Jo later worked at the rationing board during World War II.    On March 18, 1945, at her mother’s home in Lamar, Mary Jo married the love of her life, Dalton Harris and they shared 62 happy years together. Mary Jo is survived by two daughters, Nancy (Steve) Gilkey of Lamar, and Marianne (Lonnie) Elswick of Easton, PA; two sons, Jim (Glenda) Harris of Alamogordo, NM and David (Kim) Harris of St. Charles, MO. She had great pleasure in her nine grandchildren; John (Abby) Gilkey, Courtney (Jeff) Gardner, Katie Gilkey, Adam (Denette) Reed, Chad Harris, Cory (Tina) Harris, Andy (Alexandra) Harris, and Allison Harris. Grandson, Brad Reed, is in Heaven with his Nanny and Papa! Mary Jo had 15 great grandchildren: Jack and Hattie Gilkey, Jordin Colton, Emily, Hannah, and William Jeffries, Carter Young, Whittley, Marissa, Benton, Olivia, and Chloe Reed, Dalton, Luther, and Rohan Fortugno-Harris.    Mary Jo became a member of her beloved First Baptist Church in Lamar in 1934. She was always very active in her 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.    Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2015, at Lamar First Baptist Church with burial at Lake Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 9:30 before the service.    Contributions are suggested to the Brad Reed Memorial Scholarship or Lamar First Baptist Church in care of Daniel Funeral Home.