Blanche E. Harris

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mrs. Blanche E. Harris, 93, of McNeil Road, Creal Springs, died 3:08 a.m. Sunday, March 7, 2010, in the Fountains Nursing Center, Marion.

She was born on May 3, 1916, in Stonefort, daughter of the late William Bertis Roe and Mary Frances (Graves) Roe. She married Raymond John Harris and he preceded her in death on Dec. 22, 1968.

She was a member of the Springhill Baptist Church and had worked as a cook at the Crab Orchard school for a number of years.

Survivors include two sons, Lloyd Ray (Marcia) Harris of Creal Springs and Michael Harris of Stonefort; a stepson, Donald Harris of Bryant, Ark.; five grandchildren, Anthony Furlow, Joseph Furlow, James Harris, Christopher Harris and Pamela Mayhall; four great-grandchildren, Nathan Furlow, Bobbie Mayhall, Tim Mayhall and Kelley Hudleston; and a sister, Maxine Lewis of Carterville.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Betty "Jeanene" Furlow; brother, Wm. Bertis "Bill" Roe; sister, Kay Powell; an infant sister; and a stepson, Jack Harris.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. The Rev. Bud McDannel will officiate. Burial will be in the Blackman Cemetery at Stonefort. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to the service time Tuesday at the funeral home.

At her request, flowers are asked to be omitted, and for those who prefer memorials may be given in her name to the Blackman Cemetery or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.