Mary Judy Harris

Mary Judy Harris, daughter of the late Clem and Mary Susan (Edwards) Harris, was born October 19, 1950, in Springfield, Missouri, and departed this life November 23, 2018, in Star City, Arkansas. She was 68 years, 1 month, and 4 days of age.

Judy grew up and attended school in Mountain Grove and was the Valedictorian of the Mountain Grove High School class of 1968. She then attended College of the Ozarks and received her Bachelor of Science degree in education. She came back to Mountain Grove to teach and continued working toward her Master’s degree. Later, she accepted the position of elementary principal at Pleasant Hope, Missouri. She then was hired as an elementary teacher and later principal in the Springfield, Missouri school system where she worked for 18 years.

After retirement from the public school system, Judy taught 5 years at Greenwood Lab School at Missouri State University. During this time she worked on her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy. While finishing her Doctorate she worked at University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas, and Truman State University at Kirksville, Missouri. She left Truman State University and went to work for Pulaski County Special School District in Little Rock, Arkansas. She retired in 2013 due to illness. Judy spent a total of 42 years in education.

Judy loved travelling, going to horse shows and showing horses, and spending time on the farm. She especially loved her horses, cats, and dogs. She enjoyed playing with her great-nieces and great-nephews and taking them on trips.

Besides her parents, Judy was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Delmar Matthews.

Survivors include two sisters, Marla Jean Matthews of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Betty Lou Harris of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, one nephew, Johnny Matthews and wife, Tracy, of Tennessee, several great-nieces and great-nephews, many cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.