Mary Lu Harris

Mary Lu Syms Harris, 77, of Bridgeport, Texas passed away Saturday, May 5, 2012 in Bridgeport. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at Morris Memorial United Methodist Church of Chico, Texas. Burial will follow in Chico Cemetery. Pastor Rick Davis will officiate. Pallbearers are Heath Barnes, Jason Barnes, Daniel Chandler, Jon Harris, Derrick Mowery, and Eric Wiley. Honorary pallbearers are Allen Dutton and Jeffrey Wiley. Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief at UMCOR.org. Mary Lu was born December 17, 1934, to Lulu Elizabeth (Hansen) and George Allen Syms in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas. She graduated from NorthSide High School in 1953, received a Bachelor's Degree from University of North Texas in 1957, and a Masters Degree from Texas Women's University. She was a member of the Morris Memorial United Methodist Church of Chico, United Methodist Women, UNT Alumni, and the Friendship Club. She enjoyed reading, Bible study, gardening, computing, corresponding, texting, and visiting with family and friends. Mary Lu is survived by her husband Orrie Lee Harris; daughter LuLane Dutton and husband Marvin of Duncan, Oklahoma; sons Coit Lee Harris and wife Melanie of Chico and Jay Allen Harris and wife Neysa of Decatur, Texas; daughter Robin Suzanne Barnes and husband Don of Sunset, Texas and; brother George Adrian Syms and wife Mary of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law Darla Sumners of Seagoville, Texas; grandsons Heath Barnes and wife Patience of Alvord, Texas, Jason Barnes and wife Kristin of Fort Worth, Texas, Allen Dutton and wife Rebecca of Ridgecrest, California, Jon Harris and wife Kirsten of Austin, Texas, Eric Wiley and wife Angela of Chico, and Jeffrey Wiley and wife Michelle of Perth, Australia; granddaughters Taylor Adams and Daniel Chandler of Aubrey, Texas, Kimberly Dildy and husband Matthew of Haltom City, Texas, Cheryl Dutton of Houston, Sara Harris of Decatur, Shiloh Hofacket of Bridgeport, Jessica Mowery and husband Derrick of Chico, and Sequitta Thomasson and husband Mike of Houston; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous foreign exchange students, nieces and nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents; fathers-in-law Lawrence Taylor Harris and James H. Gorman; mothers-in law Edith Gorman and Opal Harris; brother-in-law Carl Harris; and sister-in-law Joan Kilcrease.