Grace Helen Harkins

Passed away peacefully into God’s loving arms October 2, 2012.

Her favorite Bible verse is Psalms 121 A song of Ascents-My Help Comes From the Lord-our provider and protector.

She was born Sept. 24, 1919 in Gilmer, Upshur County, TX to Albert L Johnson and Lillie Mae Davis Johnson.

A graduate of Gilmer High she moved to Dallas in 1943. A longtime employee for Energy Publications (Petroleum Engineer Pub) in downtown Dallas Davis Building she worked as a bookkeeper. After her retirement she worked for Dallas Morning News in the classified ads where she made good use of her typing and creative writing skills.

Grace loved to travel, garden, read, cook, and spend time with her family. She was a long time member of Highland Baptist Church in Dallas.

Fiercely independent she provided a life for her 4 children after the death of her husband in 1969. In an age where banking and the world at large were based on a man’s name she secured a home of her own and provided for her family. She taught us to be steadfast in what we believed and to live by the golden rule. She believed we are all equals before God and to treat each other as such.

Her parents Albert and Lillie, her husband Paul Harkins, 3 sisters Maxine Averett, Lorine Day Borders, and Ruth Snow, and most recently her beloved oldest son Greg Harkins, precede her in death.

Grace is survived by her daughter Helen Harkins Mayse and husband Richard, sons Steve Harkins and wife Janice, and Scot Harkins and wife Lisa. Grandchildren are Nik Harkins, Christopher Mayse and wife Kelsy, Jeff Mayse, Jon Mayse, Richard Mayse, Mary Grace Harkins, Elizabeth Harkins, and Angelina Harkins. Great grandsons, Neirin Considine, Nathaniel Mayse, and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins who will all miss her.

The family would like to thank Keller Oaks Nursing and Odyssey Hospice for their invaluable support and care.

We rejoice in her life and the memories we carry in our hearts forever. Visitation will be 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2012 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 6, 2012 in the Grove Hill Chapel.