Marilyn Claudine Harris 1943-2011

Maryln Claudine (Harris) Nelson, 67, of Emmett, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011.

Maryln was born Dec. 29, 1943, in Naylor, Mo., to Rev. Claude and Dorothy Harris. She graduated from Kankakee High School in 1962 and attended one year at the Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minn. College education included two years at Kankakee Community College and one year at Illinois State University.

Her occupations included Montgomery Ward's in the catalogue and drapery department, teaching piano lessons in her home as well as the accordion.

In 1975, she owned and directed Thumbelina Daycare Center until she moved to Atlanta, Ill. in 1977. She worked for Atlanta Thermogas, Henry Wright Accounting and became director of the Pioneer Girls at Team Thrust for the Nations.

Between 1977 and 1981, she participated in 10 crusades to New York City, New Orleans and Chicago, Ill. During these street ministry crusades, she witnessed and counseled people with needs such as drug addiction, 2011alcoholism and broken homes.

In 1983, she owned a comic and antique bookstore in Bradley, Ill., with her nephew, Jim Harris, until she moved to Idaho in 1989. Since being in Idaho, she has taught Sunday school classes at Abundant Life Fellowship and was a substitute teacher for CERT.

Her most current occupation was secretary at the Harvest Church in Emmett where she successfully completed 448 consecutive weekly bulletins.

Maryln loved to read her Bible, sing, do crossword puzzles, sew Barbie doll clothes and was famous for her homemade chocolate chip cookies. However, her most joyful accomplishment was baby-sitting her great-granddaughter, Elyse.

Maryln is survived by her two daughters, Angie and Chantell Nelson, of Emmett; granddaughter, Dominique Nelson and great-granddaughter, Elyse, of Boise, Idaho. Also surviving is her older brother, Ron Harris (Jeanie), of Emmett and her younger brother, Greg Harris (Retta), of Clifton, Ill. She had numerous nieces and nephews and her very dear friend, Becky, who was like a daughter to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Dorothy Harris.

Graveside services will be held Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the Emmett Cemetery. A Memorial Service and celebration of her life will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Harvest Church in Emmett. Services are under the direction of the Potter Funeral Chapel, Emmett.

Donations may be made to ARM (Arise and Rebuild Ministries) in care of Harvest Church.

Published in Emmett Messenger Index from February 7 to March 7, 2011