Opal Alice (Harris) Kays 1908-1986

Opal Alice Kays, daughter of Allen and Elsie McDaniel Harris, was born on March 22, 1908 in Pulaski County, and departed this life September 20, 1986 at her home, at the age of seventy eight years.

On December 22, 1933, she was united in marriage with John Kays, and to this union was born one son, who survives.

Opal taught school for many years in Pulaski County schools.

In 1950 she transferred her membership from the Union Church in Hazelgreen to the Independence Baptist Church, where she has remained a very faithful and active member.  She served as church secretary and treasurer for many years.

Opal was a lovely Christian lady, who was willing to help a neighbor or friend in need.  She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 23, 1986 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Ed Hamilton and Rev. Raymond McClary officiating.

Resting Place was in the Hazelgreen Cemetery.

Escorts were: Fred Wilson, Virgil Shelton, Keith Lundh, Mayfield Wilson, Jesse Elam and Larry Ogle.

Those surviving include her son John Earl Kays and his wife Barbara of Richland; one sister Bessie Murrell of Richland; two grandchildren Kent and Sherrie; as well as other relatives and a host of many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Edna Bosel; one brother, Lynn Harris and an infant brother.

Carrie Marie Harris 1905-1986

Carrie Marie Harris daughter of William and Otilla Harris was born June 22, 1905 in Richland, Mo., and departed this life September 14, 1986 in Webster Grove, Missouri at the age of 81 years.

On August 4, 1924 she was united in marriage with Carl Grant Harris and to this union two children were born, both surviving.  After their marriage they moved to St. Louis and reared their family.  In 1943 they returned to Richland, and again returned to Richland in 1877 after living in various towns to be near Mr. Harris’ employment.  Due to ill health she has made her home with her children for the past several years.

Graveside services were held Wednesday, September 17, 1986 at 1:00 p.m. at the Oaklawn Cemetery with Rev. William Owens officiating.

She is survived by one son Gene; one daughter Marie; three granddaughters, Linda, Karla and Brenda; three great- grandchildren

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Reavil Edwin Hankins Sr. 1916-1986

Reavil Edwin Hankins Sr., was born on April 14, 1916 to Elmer and Mamie Harris Hankins, and departed this life August 22, 1986, after attaining the age of seventy years, four months, and eight days.

On July 22, 1939, he was united in marriage with Charlotte Elizabeth Nickolaus.  To this union was born five children, Peggy Lambert of Brookfield, Missouri, Kenneth Hankins of Columbus, Georgia, MSGT Keith Hankins of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Sharon Gundram and Reavil Hankins Jr. (Skip) both of Richland.

In October 1952 he received Jesus as His Savior and in 1953 he surrendered to God’s call to the ministry.  He pastured the Shepherd Hopewell Baptist Church, the Hawkeye Baptist Church and the Cedar Bluff Baptist Church in Pulaski Baptist Association and the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Phelps Baptist Church Association.

At the time of his death he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Richland.  He was an active participant in the Pulaski Baptist Association serving two terms as Moderator, one as Budget Chairman, one as Stewardship Chairman, and many years as a Counselor at youth and children’s camps.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 26, 1986 at 11:00 A.M. with Ministers, Rev. Roger Marshall and Rev. Dennis Crowder officiating under the Direction of the First Baptist Church.

Resting place was in the Oaklawn Cemetery.

Escorts for Mr. Hankins were: Gene Shelton, John Sigler, Rollins Howlett, Verner Page, Gene Brady and Don Groves.

Honorary Escorts were: Lucky Chance, Lee Groves, Jewell Groves, Jess Matthews and Ralph Duncan.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte, his five children, Peggy, Kenny, Keith, Sharon and Skip; eleven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mamie and Elmer Hankins, and by one granddaughter, Christina Ann Hankins.

He also leaves to mourn his passing many friends and relatives who will miss him very much but who know he has gone to a much better home with his Lord. 

Wanda Lea (Boesl) Parker 1946-2012

Wanda Lea (Boesl) Parker was born on August 5th, 1946 in Waynesville, Missouri to the late Albert Allen and Edna Lea (Harris) Boesl. She joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven along with many family members who had preceded her in death on February 2, 2012 in her home near Richland. Wanda married her loving husband and best friend Charles Louie Parker on October 15th, 1966. The couple was richly blessed with two daughters, Charla Lorraine (Parker) Baker and Kelli Deneen (Parker) Lockhart. She lived on her family farm which was located on the old Brownfield Star Route, (BSR as Wanda referred to it) her entire life. Later in their marriage, heaven split open and two beautiful grandchildren joined this loving family, Jared Eugene Lockhart and Britanea Nicole Lockhart.

Of all the dates Wanda believed were important in her life, the most important one was when she willing accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at Independence Baptist Church near Richland in August 1956. After her salvation she was baptized in the beautiful Gasconade River. She was a member of the Independence Baptist Church for many years, later Buckhorn Baptist Church, near Richland and for the last twenty years was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Richland.

Wanda graduated from Richland High School and furthered her education with Lincoln University while working for the Federal Government. She worked through the summers of her High school years in many diversified jobs at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Her employment with the Federal Government continued after graduation. She left Fort Leonard Wood for ten years, where she worked for the Richland R IV School System in a classroom setting, and later as secretary to the grade school principal, and then to the school Superintendent. After her daughters graduated from high school she once again returned to the Federal Government where she retired as an Editor/Writer from the Engineer School. Wanda also served as District Secretary for State Representative Jim Mitchell.

Wanda was gifted with extraordinary talent in creating, decorating, sewing, knitting, flowers, and cooking. It is believed she made over 2,000 cakes, many wedding, but given a picture she could design anything an individual asked. Her talents didn’t end there, however, she served the Lord by playing the piano, organ, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School, Song Leader, hand making costumes for various presentations and lastly, her great love for the Awana program in which she worked until her health failed.

Wanda showed compassion and concern about others placing her self last as evidenced at the young age of eight. Her father’s death resulted in her mother going to work to support the family leaving her to care for herself and her younger sister to whom she grew very close. Wanda loved family events, celebrations, parties, & holidays. She particularly loved the trips to War Eagle with her family in the fall and dearly loved the Boesl/Vaughn Reunion each year in June. She enjoyed caring for her fish pond, feeding and watching the Coy grow. Wanda loved camping trips, and enjoyed watching and feeding of all birds, especially humming birds.

Wanda had many friends from all Walks of Life. She opened her home to everyone and had a compassionate heart.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Louie Parker of the home, two daughters, Charla Baker and her husband Gary of Richland, Kelli Lockhart and her husband Ross of Bolivar, Missouri two grandchildren, Jared and Britinae Lockhart and one sister Wilma Lorraine (Boesl) Oursbourn and her husband Douglas of Richland, her mother-in-law, Louise Parker of Richland, as well as nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

The number of years God gave us with Wanda seemed short, but will give us memories to last for the rest of our days.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 5, 2012 in the First Baptist Church of Richland with Rev. David Brown officiating. Drew Oursbourn gave the eulogy and also recalled loving memories about his beloved aunt. Special music selections include “How Great Thou Art” and “It Is Well with My Soul” by trumpet players Todd and Austin Walker with Janet Walker accompanying them on the piano, Steve Mino and Joseph Miller joined pianist/singer Missy Miller as they sang “The Prettiest Flowers” and “Knowing You’ll Be There”, ending with a congregational song “Ill Fly Away”. Serving as pallbearers were James Ray, Michael Nickels, Mark Hedger, Charlie Firtts, Mark Schneider, Johnny Ray Prewett, Tommy Henson and Mark Tallant. Honorary escorts included Elvis Ogle, Billy Henson, Larry Alexander, Richard Newell, Dr. Art Bryant, David Phelps, James Mitschele, James Mitchell and Jerry George. Burial followed in the Hazelgreen Cemetery, Hazelgreen, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland.

Carl Grant Harris 1903-1984

Carl Grant Harris was born in St. Louis February 6, 1903 to Burns Harris and Nellie Rinehart Harris. Second eldest of eight children. Survived by two brothers, George Harris of Coffeyville, Kansas and Ralph Harris of Florida and was married to Carrie M. Harris of Richland, Missouri, August 4, 1924. To this union two children were born: Marie Harris Hisel, who lives in St. Louis and Leroy Gene Harris of Springfield, Missouri.

He has three granddaughters, Karla, Linda, and Brenda, a dear brother-in-law, great grandfather, uncle, and cousin.

He lived the early part of his married life in St. Louis where he worked for the Union Electric as an electrician. His family moved to Richland, Missouri in 1943 where he farmed and also worked as an electrician at Ft. Leonard Wood. In later years he worked for the Central Electric Company and lived there until his retirement. He and his wife returned to Richland in 1977 and lived there until 1982. The last two and one half years he made his home at his daughter’s residence in St. Louis County.

Funeral services were held, Monday, September 10, 1984 at 1:30 p.m. with burial in the Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Colonial Funeral Chapels.

A man is never truly gone from this earth as long as he is remembered, lovingly, by those who have shared his life, known his love, shared his happiness, and felt his sorrows.

Carl Grant Harris will be remembered by his wife Carrie, who shared his life for sixty plus years. He will be remembered by his daughter, Marie, and her husband, Kenneth, by his son gene, and his wife Ella Rae as a loving and caring father. He will be remembered, happily, by his three granddaughters, Carla, Linda, and Brenda as the recall the special times, the special moments, that children share with a grandfather. His brother George will remember him as a father figure who helped him through his adolescent years when he lost his own father. His brother-in-law, Bob Miles, and his sister-in-law, Lee Harris will surely remember him as one who welcomed them gladly into his family. The many friends whose lives he touched his these last eighty one and a half years will certainly remember him as hard-working man of integrity.

Those of us who shared his life and love also shared his sorrows. We knew of his trials, of his moments of despair, and yes, even of his weaknesses. This did not dim our caring for each of us have known these same inadequa

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