Thelma Lois Harris

Thelma Lois Alexander Harris, 95, passed from this mortal world into the realms of eternity on September 25, 2016. Thelma, affectionately known as ‘Scooter’, was born on November 18, 1920 to William (Bill) and Jessie Lee Alexander at their home near Tennyson, Texas.

Scooter was raised on a farm, worked in the fields hoeing weeds, digging prickly pear, and picking cotton by hand, and she walked miles through pastures to go to a one-room school house for an education. At the age of 14, and in the midst of the Great Depression, Scooter lost her mother to dust pneumonia, and she and her sisters became masters of the home, learning to cook even fine pastries on a wood-burning stove. (She wondered why none of their cakes ever fell, as they had no measuring utensils and no thermometer for the wood oven…) These challenges and others developed a great depth of character in her, and she radiated unconditional love and acceptance to all she met.

At a community barn dance, Scooter met the love of her life, James Franklin Harris, and their marriage had to wait until he returned from World War II. They were married in San Angelo, Texas on October 22, 1945, and she told me they never had a quarrel in all the years of their marriage, and that is true. Their marriage was blessed by two children, Judy and Randy, who were raised in a very loving and peaceful home. No one ever entered their home without being offered something to eat and something to drink. Many of her children’s friends ‘adopted’ her as their second mother.

Scooter loved and excelled at cooking, and especially baking, until the last year of her life. She made the best pinto beans in the world, and no one could replicate them! Scooter was an artist with a needle, sewing, smocking, and embroidering, and she sewed more garments, decorative pillows, and custom draperies than could be counted. Her favorite hobby was refinishing furniture, and she brought new life to almost 100 pieces of wood furniture. She was always in the service of anyone who needed help, but after her beloved husband Jim died, she dedicated her life to helping someone each and every day. She achieved that goal, and it was difficult to her to be on the receiving end of assistance as she aged and declined this past several months. Scooter was a charter member of Lake View Methodist Church, a long-time member of Trinity Methodist Church, and most recently, a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. She truly lived a Christian Life.

Scooter is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James Randy Harris and wife Retha; daughter Judy Cryer; grandchildren: Amanda Harris, Jeff and Kara Harris, James and Allisyn Cryer, John and Shelby Cryer, and Joel and Katie Cryer; and ten great-grandchildren who loved and adored her: Caleb, Bekah, Jacob, Ashlyn, Sophie, Kendall, Elizabeth, Cadence, Sarah, and Rayna. She is also survived by her beloved sisters: Queenie Wade, Billie Johnson, and Mary Crotwell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Alexander, her mother, Jessie Lee Stephenson Alexander, brother, Norbon Alexander, and sister, Jessie Boatright (age 100).

Visitation is at Johnson’s Funeral Home on Saturday, October 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. in Johnson’s Chapel. Pastor Michael Bell and her great nephew, Pastor Jason McGuire, will officiate at the services to celebrate her life. Following services, she will be interred in Miles Cemetery, Miles, Texas.

The family requests any memorials to be made to the Soup Kitchen at Wesley United Methodist Church, 301 W. 18th St., San Angelo, Texas, 76903. Family and friends may sign the online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.