Helen Harris passed away on October 18, 2014 at the Milan Healthcare Center. Helen was the fourth child of William Ira and Lida (Harmon) Sayre. She was born May 4, 1916 on the family farm near Milan, Mo. On August 7, 1937 she married Ernest Gail Harris, who preceded her in death on April 22, 1971. Also preceding her was her Mother in January 1960, her Father in December 1965, a twin brother Lee and sister Leah in December 1931. Also brothers, Herbert in October 1968, Porter in December 1979, Elmer in April 1983, Seldon in December 1995, Harold in July 1997, Edward in May 2005, and Elba in July, 2014. Also two (2) Sister in Laws, Clara Sayre and Billie June Sayre and one (1) Brother in Law, William Teeter. Surviving are sons, Gail Dean Harris of Milan, Mo., William Kenneth and wife, Shirley of Raymore, Mo, brother Earl Dean Sayre and wife of Maryville, Mo., a sister, Dorothy Teeter of Kearney, Mo, 3 Sister in Laws, Eunice Sayre of Brookfield, Mo, Ruthie Sayre of Milan, Mo., and Recil Sayre of Unionville, Mo., four (4) grand children, Jennifer, Kenneth, Allan and Beth, 2 step grand children, 2 great grand daughters that she loved dearly, Rachel and Jessica Hoover, 3 step great grand children, many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Helen lived all her life in Sullivan County. She received her elementary education at Oak Grove, a one room school, and graduated from Milan High School with the class of 1935.
She was employed by Stampers, Banquet Foods, and ConAgri for many years. She liked working with young people in Sunday School and FHA, and was a leader in the 4-H Club. She became a member of the Christian Faith at the age of 15. She liked all work pertaining to a farm and flowers but most of all, she liked doing things for others especially little ones and the elderly. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM., Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at the Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan, Missouri. Burial will follow at the Mt. Zion Cemetery southeast of Milan. Visitation is scheduled at 10:00 AM. Tuesday until the time of service