Mary Harris
SHERIDAN — Mrs. Mary Lou Wilkerson Harris, age 75, of Sheridan, Ark., died Monday, March 18, 2013, at Sheridan. Born September 8, 1937, at Sheridan, Ark., she was one of eight children born to the late Aubrey Warren Wilkerson and Ruth Chandler Wilkerson.
She attended Sheridan Schools and was a 1955 graduate of Sheridan High School. Mrs. Harris received a B.S.E. degree from Henderson State Teachers College (now H.S.U.). She also received a M.S.E. degree in Guidance and Counseling from Henderson.
Her teaching career began at Pine Bluff, Ark., as a classroom teacher and later as a counselor. In 1971, she moved to Sheridan where she was a Counselor at Sheridan High School. After completing thirty years as an educator, she retired from Sheridan High School in 1992. She had served as an officer in several local, district and state educational organizations. She had also served on the Henderson State University Alumni Board.
Mrs. Harris was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sheridan, where she had previously served several years as Youth Counselor. She had also been a Girl Scout leader and a volunteer for Sheridan Elementary School.
She is survived by her two daughters, Valerie Shepherd and her husband Robert and Stephanie Smith, both of Sheridan. Mrs. Harris is survived by five grandchildren, Eric Shepherd, Nick Shepherd, Griffin Smith and Rachel Smith, all of Sheridan and Lindsey Shepherd, currently residing in India. Survivors also include two brothers, Conrad Wilkerson of Memphis, Tennessee and Warren Wilkerson of Sheridan; four sisters, Alma Justus of Little Rock, Peggy Bellomy, Joyce Wilkerson and Gail Damron, all of Sheridan.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Joe Harris and a sister, Sarah Simpson.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Sheridan. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at the church with Rev. John Fleming officiating. Burial will follow at Lost Creek Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Sheridan School District, 400 North Rock Street, Sheridan, AR 72150 for the Mary Lou Harris Scholarship.
Pallbearers will be Steve Lancaster, Jeff Lisenbey, Jan Williams, Kent Justus, Brent Justus and Mark Damron.
Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870)942-1306. To sign the online guestbook, www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.