Thelma Harris

Thelma Lorene Webb Harris, 86, entered into eternal life Nov. 12, 2008, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. She was born Dec. 15, 1921, to Joel Franklin Webb and Ethel C. Sharp Webb, at their home on West Emma Avenue in Springdale. She was known to family and many friends as "Mama T." Thelma attended Springdale schools and graduated in 1939. She graduated from Excel Beauty School in Fayetteville in 1940 and worked five years for her cousins, Mabel Goree Bell and Lena Goree Struebing, at Jewell's Beauty Shop. In February 1945, she opened Thelma's Beauty Shop in the Sharp Building on West Emma Avenue. She kept her business at this location until 1981 and then moved it to her home on Maple Drive. Thelma attended First Baptist Church her whole life and had been a member since 1937. She worked with the junior and pre-school departments for many years. She was a member of the church choir for 65 years and was active in the Singing Saints Adult Choir. She also served on the counting committee for 65 years. Thelma was a member of Springdale Business and Professional Women's Club since 1943. She served in many capacities and was club president in 1953, In 1993-94, she was honored as Woman of the Year. When the Springdale club disbanded in 1996, she became active in the Fayetteville Business and Professional Women's Club. She served as a volunteer at the Jones Center for Families in the gift shop since 2001. She loved nearly all sports and especially enjoyed cheering for her grandsons and their friends. For the past two years, she could be spotted at the soccer games of her great-grandson, Owen. She is survived by her son, Richard Clinton "Dick" Harris of Fayetteville; daughter and son-in-law, Doug and Linda Harris Miller of Springdale; grandsons, Clinton Eugene Miller and wife Molly of Springdale, Kirk Samuel Miller and wife Rachel of Springdale and Kyle Mark Miller and wife Jessica of Rogers; great-grandchildren, Owen Clinton Miller, Anna Grace Miller and McCoy Samuel Miller, who brought her great joy; sister, Wilma Samuel of Fayetteville and dear friend Marcelyn Brown of Springdale. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Sisco Chapel in Springdale. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday with Charlie Foster and Joe Dorman officiating. Burial will be in Bluff Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Lyndall Brown, Mark Calcagni, Lance Price, Jordan Karnes, Chad Ware, Rob Lambert and Sean Dewitt. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, 72762.

Thelma Harris

November 13, 2008