Leota Harris

Leota Harris, 89, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2007 in Sunrise, Florida where she lived for the past 11 months. Born in Kansas City on August 3, 1917 to Alma and Albert Millard, Leota graduated from East High School. She lived most of her married life in Independence. Leota and her late husband Merrill were married for 69 ½ years prior to his death in March, 2006. Leota was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in various teaching and leadership capacities in the church, including president of the women’s auxiliary (Relief Society) and president of the auxiliary for the young women in the church. She and her husband served an 18-month mission in British Columbia, as well as a local mission at the LDS Visitors Center. She was also a volunteer in the church’s Family History Center and with the M.A.D.D. organization. Leota and Merrill traveled widely in the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), Europe, Israel, Canada, Mexico and Central America. She and Merrill participated in an archaeological dig in Israel for two months in the seventies. Leota was preceded in death by her son, Dale and grandson, Brent. She is survived by daughter Marilyn of Florida and son David of California, plus 12 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and daughters-in-law Karen Harris and Carol Harris. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 12, 2007 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel on E. 39th Street. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday June 13, 2007 at the L.D.S. Church located at 5609 Norfleet Road in Independence. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery.