Rose Mary Jennings Harris, 88, of Lebanon, passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
She was born Jan. 5, 1930, in Granite City, Ill., daughter of Edith Smallwood and Fred Jennings. She and Calvin Ernest Harris were married Jan. 29, 1949. He passed away in 2008.
She spent her younger years in Raymondville and graduated from Houston High School in 1947. She remained in close contact with many of her former classmates.
For many years, the Harris family was actively engaged in pork production, with their Laclede County farm hosting many visitors and tours. She was one of two female instructors selected by the University of Missouri Extension Service to teach a new project, Farrowing Schools, for women who were interested in pork production. The farrowing schools resulted in her being invited to speak at several universities and privately sponsored seminars and conferences in the United States and Canada.
She 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.
She 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.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Alta Mae Jennings Constantinides; and three half-siblings, James Jennings, Mildred Jennings Hill and Leona Jennings Smith.
Survivors include four children, Rebecca West, Robin Bagby, John Harris and Kathryn Kline; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, at Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon, with the Rev. Ellen Martin officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Allen Cemetery, Raymondville.
