Berrien County GaArchives Obituaries.....Harris, Merlyn Lavara Bishop May 15, 2014 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Shirley McMillan Durden http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006039 September 2, 2022, 1:15 pm The Berrien Press - May 21, 2014 Merlyn Lavara Bishop Harris, 87, of Enigma arrived in her eternal home on May 15, 2014. She was born July 20, 1926, in Berrien County and was the daughter of Percy Joey and Ethel Norris Bishop. She was the granddaughter of Robert and Mallie Thorpe Norris, Archie and Molly Bishop, and Joseph Turner (Daddy Joe). For 54 years, she was married to her beloved husband, Vernon C. Harris. All preceded her in death. She had a long active career in education spent in Tift and Berrien Counties as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, librarian, and director of curriculum. She enjoyed setting up the kindergarten program in Tift County. To expand her education, she studied and became a flower show judge and was an active member of Pine Garden Club. She led a committee in beginning the South Georgia Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium, which is ongoing today. This introduced several thousand men and women to native landscape and the cultivation of many wildflowers in South Georgia. During her career, she was active in many professional organizations, such as the National Education Association, Georgia Education Association, International Reading Association, and others. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and served as a grand state officer. For a number of years, she also served as an officer for the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 21. She participated in Delta Kappa Gamma for professional women in education. Her longstanding commitment as a member and volunteer secretary of Enigma United Methodist Church led to her also being named an organizational leader. She attended many church district conferences. She loved and admired all of her family members for their individual values, especially her siblings and each of her children and grandchildren. They, in return, loved and admired her. She was “Sister” to her eight younger siblings, Jean Staufer, Carolyn Brennen, Linda Burchett, Jim Bishop, Nell Pancake, Mary Beth Tucker, Charles Bishop, and David Bishop. Her two siblings, George Bishop and Juanita Crum, preceded her in death. Known to her loving children as “Mother.” Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Verno Belle and Harley Davidson; her sons and daughters-in-law Rick and Zena and Roger and Toni Harris. She was “Nana” to her grandchildren, Chad Barfield, Clint and Jenny Barfield, Grant Harris, Michael and Jamie Harris, Beverly Harris and Heath Harris Spradley. She was “Big Nana” to Charlie Barfield, Bailey Harris, Parker Leigh Harris. Hannah Branch, and Garrett Spradley. She was preceded in death by two infant sons and a beloved grandson, Phillip Harris. Funeral services were held May 18 at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Revs. Pete Jones and John Harrington officiating. Burial followed at Enigma Cemetery. Pallbearers were nephews and caregivers at Southern Care Assisted Living Bowen- Donaldson Home for Funerals. Memorials may be made to Enigma United Methodist Church, Enigma, GA 31749; or Hospice of Tift Area, P.O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793. Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals was in charge of arrangements. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/berrien/obits/h/harris6344nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb