Joyce Elaine Harris (Sprague)

Joyce Harris, 84, of Independence, MO passed away March 27, 2019. A visitation will be held from 9-10:00 a.m. followed by a 10:00 a.m. service on Saturday, March 30, at the Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO. A graveside service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1, at Mound Grove Cemetery. Joyce was born June 27, 1934 in Rockford, IL to Roland DeLos and Jayne Elizabeth Thomas Sprague. She was baptized into the Church of Christ at the age of nine, enduring to the end, battling recent illnesses until she passed. Joyce graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1952, and married Alvin Leon Harris on February 20, 1954. To this union were born three children, Mark, Scott and Susan. Joyce worked as a seamstress, salesperson, secretary and employment counselor in Ames, Iowa and the Kansas City, Missouri area. She also completed two years of college at CMSU Extension in Independence, MO. Joyce spent many years enjoying square dancing, playing bridge, knitting, quilting, bicycling, camping and sailing with family and friends, always with camera in-hand ready to preserve happy smiles and precious memories. Her most cherished enjoyment was supporting her husband in his ministry in the Church of Christ. It was her personal privilege to serve for many years as the Church of Christ Email Group Manager, sharing prayer requests and testimonies with brothers and sisters across the nation and around the world. Joyce was preceded in death by her grandparents, Grant and Elizabeth Thomas; father, Rolland Sprague; mother, Jayne Sprague; adoptive mother, Marion Sprague; and her sister, Janice Welch. She is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, Alvin Harris of Independence, MO; son, Mark Harris (Jill) of Rochester, MN; son, Scott Harris (Cathy) of Cassville, MO; daughter, Susan Harris of Independence, MO; brother, Jon Sprague of Whitefish, MT; sister, Dana Rider of Bates City, MO; eight grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, National Parkinson’s Foundation or the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel 816-252-7900)