Fern Harbison

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Fern Harbison, 91, of Carbondale, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009.

She was born Oct. 25, 1918, at Bavier, Mo., to Ed and Mary Gather.

She was raised in Higber, Mo.,, and Dowell. She graduated from high school in Elkville and from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She married Jesse Harbison of Harrisburg (a World War II veteran) on March 8, 1941. He preceded her in death in 1972. She taught school in Illinois until her retirement. She was a born- again Christian and a member of the Murdale Baptist Church.

Her parents, Ed and Mary Gruber; and a sister, Ina King, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her son, George and Martha Harbison of Calhoun, Tenn.; grandsons, Coy Harbison of Calhoun, Tenn., Robert and Lori Harbison of Charleston, Tenn. great-grandchildren, Lauren Harbison, Logan Harbison, Emma Harbison, Cole Harbison and Brady Harbison, all of Tennessee; brother, Ed Gruber of Illinois; and sister, Marian Hammack of California. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Gaskins-Jones Funeral Home from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. There will be graveside services at noon at Jones Cemetery near Equality. The service will be officiated by her nephew, Wayne King.