Margaret Jean Harrison

Margaret Jean Harrison went to be with her Lord on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 5:05 am. She died peacefully at 93 years of age at Parkway Manor. She was born August 3, 1923 to Henry Albert and Ethel Gertrude (Hall) High in Cobden. She had 3 brothers and 8 sisters. Jean worked at Elgin State Hospital in the kitchen for a time and then returned to Southern Illinois because she couldn’t stand to be away from her family. She also worked at the Shoe Factory in Anna and the Basket Mill in Cobden as well as for some of the local fruit and vegetable producers around Cobden. She married Alva “Bus” Evans from Cobden. They had one child, Connie Jo, and lived in Cobden. After 2 years of marriage, Bus was killed in an automobile accident. She and Connie lived with her Mom and Dad in Cobden until they moved to Marion in about 1960. They lived with her brother, Bob and family, for a short time and then moved to an apartment in Marion. She met and married Juttie S. Harrison. They had one son, Eric Lonnie. She was a wife, mother and homemaker and loved being just that. She was very devoted to her family. She always wanted to help even when help may not have been wanted. Her family was “all” to her. She loved children and was always eager to spend time with them. She was witty and loved to laugh. She loved to tell stories of her siblings growing up. There was much laughter and good times shared at the “High Reunions”. She taught her children the definition of “family” by living it. What a reunion there must be right now! She worked for Marion Unit 2 as a cook mostly at Washington School in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. She then quit and spent most of her time with her grandchildren. They affectionately called her “Gambi”, a name given to her by her only grandson, Jonathan. Then the great-grandchildren came along and she thoroughly enjoyed them. She played in the Kitchen Band at Marion Senior Citizens. She walked and exercised faithfully until Parkinson’s Disease began to wear her body down. She lived at River to River Assisted Living for several years and enjoyed many friendships there. Last fall she moved to Parkway Nursing Home. She was a member of the Third Baptist Church in Marion where she enjoyed many years of fellowshipping with the ladies in her Sunday School class. She will be greatly missed, but her family rejoices in the fact that she is now with the Lord Jesus. We celebrate the years God has given us. To God be the Glory and Honor, Amen. Preceding her in death were her Parents, First Husband – Alva Evans, Brothers – Charles Albert, Robert Franklin and Joseph Emery High; Sisters – Mary Louise Sadler, Helen Berniece Bilderbeck, Ellen Janiece, Frances Elizabeth Anderson, Janette Williams and Annette High. She is survived by her Husband – Juttie Harrison, Daughter – Connie(Richard) Hays, Son – Eric (Debbie) Harrison. Grandchildren – Amy (Steve) Blandford, Tracy (Ron) Lang, Jonathan (Jessica) Hays, Erica Harrison and fiance’ Daniel Whitehead. Great Grandchildren – Zachary Zeller, Maggie Lang, Carter Lang, Maddus Lang, all of Marion, Landon and Bentley Hays of Pittsburg. Two sisters – Ethel Alberta Gearhart of Manteno, Illinois and Shirley Alice Morrison of Cobden. Two sisters-in-law – Margaret Ann (Alden) High and Sharon (Rendleman) High. Brother-in-law and wife, Gus and Barbara Harrison, several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 1 pm at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Bryan Morrison and Rev. Bob Nolen officiating. Burial will follow in Cobden City Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5 – 8 pm at the funeral home. For those who prefer memorials may be made to the Cobden City Cemetery.  Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois  62959.