Virginia Lee Harris

Virginia Lee Harris was born on Tuesday, December 31, 1940 in Virgil, Kansas. She was the daughter of Stokes and Dorothy (Smith) Crooks. Virginia grew up in Waverly, Kansas, moving to Burlington, and in 1961 moved to Franklin County, Kansas, living in Ottawa until her death on Friday, August 31, 2012, at the age of seventy-one years. Virginia attended schools in Waverly, Kansas. She later became a Licensed Practical Nurse through Kansas City Area Vocational Technical College and a Registered Nurse through Neosho County Community College at Chanute, Kansas. In the 1960’s and 1970’s Virginia was a seamstress working for both Mode O Day and H.D. Lee Companies of Ottawa. She later was employed as a psychiatric nurse at the University of Kansas Medical Center for 15 years, retiring in 2009. On April 13, 1957, Virginia was united in marriage with John Hawkes Harris, Jr., at Burlington, Kansas. They shared over 51 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on January 19, 2009. Virginia was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, whose greatest joy was spending time with her family. She enjoyed the outdoors. Her favorite activities were gardening, camping and going to garage sales. Surviving family members include her two sons, Rodney L. Harris and wife Pam of Ottawa, Kansas and John Hawkes Harris III, of Ottawa; daughter, Lisa Renee McClendon of Louisiana; grandchildren, Rodney W. “Billy” Harris of Lawrence, Benjamin S. “Ben” Harris of Ottawa, John Hawkes “Jared” Harris IV, of Ottawa, Alex McClendon of Louisiana, and Zach McClendon of Louisiana; three brothers, Harold Crooks and wife Marie of Waverly, Kansas, Dickie Crooks and wife Wanda of Ottawa, and Russell Crooks and wife Roberta of Wellsville, Kansas; two sisters, Susie Walker and husband Jim of Ottawa, and Jaren Dawn Muzeau and husband Becker of Chicago, Illinois; and companion, Glen Cox of Ottawa. Preceding Virginia in death are husband, John Harris, Jr.; parents, Stokes & Dorothy Crooks; and sister, Lavern K. Crooks. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary, 2:00 P.M. Thursday, September 6, 2012. IN STATE: Friends may pay respects to Mrs. Harris at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 5, 2012, to the service hour where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday. CEMETERY: Interment Waverly Cemetery, Waverly, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Neosho County Community College Nursing Program c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.