Verna Ruth Harris

Harris
Services for Verna Ruth Harris, 91, of Hughes Springs will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Reeder-Davis Chapel with Jay Pollan and Chad Thompson officiating, with interment to follow at Hughes Springs Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home Inc.
Mrs. Harris was born Oct. 12, 1922, in Minneapolis, Minn. After graduating from high school, she joined the United States Navy W.A.V.E.S. where she served as a Pharmacist Mate third class. She met and fell for the southern charm of L.V. “Ranchie” Harris. They moved to Texas and were married in Texarkana in 1945. They purchased an existing drug store and changed the name to Harris Bros. Pharmacy in 1949 and operated it for over 30 years.
She loved her life in Texas as a “transplanted Yankee” and never looked back. She embraced her new life as a southern wife and mother and was active in many organizations, including: Cub-Scout den mother, Sunday school teacher, PTA, band booster and the Arden Hanes Chapter 351 of the American Legion. She received several recognitions for her volunteer efforts. She was awarded “2007 Volunteer of the Year” from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2012 the Hughes Springs Chamber Of Commerce presented her with the coveted “Lifetime Achievement Award. The one thing that most people will remember her for will be her famous cookies and croutons.
Verna Ruth went peacefully to her eternal home while surrounded by her loving family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of years of 42 years, L.V. “Ranchie” Harris; her parents, Norman Lee and Vesta Michael; one son, John Michael Harris; one grandson, Marc Wesley Harris; two brothers, Warren and William Michael and twin sister, Vearl Clem.
Left to mourn her passing are her children: son, Don Harris and daughter, Norma Lee Harris, both of Hughes Springs; granddaughter, Sandy Smith-Lanier and her husband, J.C., their children Zoe, Zaida, Michael and Scotty Lanier of Daingerfield; grandson, Michael Harris and wife, Elizabeth, of Avinger, as well as many nieces and nephews and several great-great-grandchildren. A special friend, Francis Fuller, the members of the Navy WAVES-AGO and also the members of the local American Legion post, and numerous friends will miss her dearly.
Memorials may be made to Heartsway Hospice, Longview.