Avis de décès de Mary-Jo Harris - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

<!-- DisplayFullObituaryText -->November 5, 2014 Dr. Mary Jo Harris, age 85, passed away November 5, 2014 in Tallahassee, Florida after a long illness. She is survived by extended family of Patricia (McPherson) Maybin of Tallahassee, FL, John r. McPherson of Birmingham, AL, Edgar Batson of Birmingham, AL, Marcellus Evans of Canton, NC, and Merry Carole Kilgore of Navarre, FL. The daughter of Albert C. and Mary Elizabeth (McPherson) Harris of Birmingham, Alabama, Mary Jo spent her formative years and attended school in East Lake community of Birmingham. Pursuing an early interest in the field of childhood education, Ms. Harris first achieved her teaching credentials as a graduate of the School of Education, Montevallo College, Alabama. In the years immediately following WW2, she served as a civilian educator in the U.S. army in various occupied countries of the North Africa and Europe, where she was instrumental in establishing school and curriculum for military dependent children. Concluding her service with the Army, Ms. Harris returned to Alabama and entered the graduate program at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, where she earned her PHD in the evolving field of Early childhood Education. Dr. Harris went on to become a faculty member of the newly founded University of South Alabama, Mobile, where she served as a Professor of Early Childhood Education until her retirement in 1996. During her tenure with the University she became involved in the 'head Start' program and travelled throughout the state in support of improving the education of disadvantaged children. Ms. Harris was very active in the United Methodist Church in Mobile, Alabama, serving that community as a volunteer in numerous church programs and charities. After retirement, Ms. Harris moved to Marianna, Florida to be nearer her extended families in Tallahassee and Ft. Walton Beach. There she became a very active member of the First United Methodist Church of Marianna, was a volunteer in the UMW organization, and devoted time to the Judicial Circuit Guardian ad litem program in Jackson Co, FL. Mary Jo leaves many friends in Mobile, Al, Marianna, FL and Tallahassee, FL communities. The family requests that memorials be made to the Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, FL, or the First United Methodist church of Marianna, FL. Graveside services will be 10 AM November 10, 2014 at the Forest Hill Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4-6 PM, November 9, 2014 at the John Ridout's Trussville Chapel, 1500 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL.