Mrs. Lucille Harris' Obituary
Lucille Rowland Harris of Longview, age 93, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, July 23, 2015 with her granddaughter Terri Hill by her side.
The family will greet friends on Sunday, July 26th from 2 pm to 4 pm at Rader Funeral Home on Judson Road in Longview. A celebration of her life will be held Monday, July 27th, 10 am at Elmira Chapel in Longview.
Lucille was born on August 19, 1921 to Nora and Dee Rowland. She was the older sister of Jesse Dee and Melvin whom she helped take care of from the age of six, while her parents worked as farmers. She grew up in the community of Spring Hill and attended Spring Hill ISD through the 8thgrade, then graduated from Longview High School in 1938, as Spring Hill did not have a high school at that time.
Lucille graduated from Kilgore College in 1940, Stephen F. Austin in 1942 with a BA and East Texas State Teachers College in 1955 with a Masters of Education degree.
She started out her career in Port Arthur, Texas in 1942 teaching 6th grade at Franklin Elementary. Then, she returned to East Texas and from 1946-1952, she taught 3rd grade at Mozelle Johnston, formerly Judson Elementary. In 1952, she returned to Spring Hill ISD, where she taught third grade for 31 years, retiring in 1983 at age 61. During her time at Spring Hill, she received many honors and awards. Lucille was president of the local Texas Classroom Teachers Association in 1960, named Who’s Who in Texas Education in 1976, served as Spring Hill PTA president and secretary, was awarded an Honorary Life Member of Texas PTA in 1976 and was a 56 year member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Kappa Mu Chapter. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi and Epsilon Sigma Alpha and held various offices in both service organizations.
During her lifelong commitment of service to others, Lucille received a Presidential Award from President Harry Truman for her service as a registrar during the Korean War in 1948. She was also awarded the title of Jerusalem Pilgrim from the mayor of Jerusalem in 1984.
Lucille’s life revolved around her family, church, students and teaching. She was exceptionally proud to have been involved in every aspect of Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where she was a member for 87 years. At Elmira, she started working as a children’s Sunday school teacher at the age of 17. Over the years, she also served with church camps, Bible school, Youth of Sunday School, Superintendent of Bible School, was a delegate to the General Assembly, President of Missionary Group, a ruling Elder, adult Sunday School teacher and also served as a delegate to the Presbytery.
Even with state, national, Presidential and international awards and teaching three generations of students, she was most proud of her son Ott and often spoke of what an honor it was to be his mother. She not only adored and spoiled her two grandchildren, Terri and Matt, but created great adventures for them, was a trustworthy confidant and a gracious host to their childhood friends, all of who referred to her as “Grandma Cille.”
Teaching was her passion, but being surrounded by her son, grandchildren and great grandchildren, family and friends was her greatest joy.
She is survived by her son, Arthur Harris of Longview; daughter in law and friend, Judy Harris of Longview; granddaughter Terri Hill and her husband Darren of Longview, and their children Ryan, Dylan, Kaitlyn, Bo and Lile; grandson Matthew Harris and his wife Beth of Kennedale, Texas, and their children Chloe, Jude and Luke. Lucille is also survived by her beloved brother Melvin Rowland and her sister in law Doris Rowland, also of Longview; sister in law, A.J. Rowland of Lake Cherokee, nieces Mitzi Neely of Longview, Robin Conway of Timpson, Texas, Linda Bischoff of Longview, DeAnn Haynes of Longview, and numerous great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Nora & Dee Rowland, and her brother Jesse Dee Rowland.
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