Ruth Elizabeth (McCowen) Harris

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ruth Elizabeth (McCowen) Harris, 80, of Tamaroa, passed away at 7:05 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 at the Fairview Nursing Center in Du Quoin.

Ruth was very active in the Tamaroa American Legion Auxiliary, was an EMT for the Tamaroa and Pinckneyville Fire Departments and several other community organizations.

She was born March 26, 1931 at Waltonville, Ill., the daughter of Stanley and Mabel (Green) McCowen.

She married Captain Henry Harris on March 21, 1960 at Mt. Vernon, Ill. and he preceded her in death on Dec. 17, 2004.

Ruth is survived by two sons - Ray Dudley and wife Vicki of Keizer, Oregon and Carl Harris of Tamaroa, one daughter - Linda Batson and husband Alan of Pinckneyville, grandchildren - Jennifer Wright and husband Matt, Ryan Batson and wife Jeni and Gracie Harris, great grandchildren - Joshua and Madelyn Wright, Rylee and Ryker Batson. Ruth is also survived by sisters - Doris Cockrum of Waltonville, Mary Haley and husband Allen of Waltonville, Fay Campbell of Benton and one brother - David McCowen and wife Kathie of Waltonville and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandparents, step mother - Mary Harris McCowen, half brother - Glen McCowen, brother - Paul McCowen, infant sister - Susan McCowen, brothers-in-law - Glenn Cockrum and Clyde Campbell and great grandson - Noah Wright.

Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa with Bro. Jerry Aken, Jason Harris and Matt Wright officiating.

Friends called from Noon until the time of service on Sunday at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa.

Burial was in the Tamaroa Cemetery at Tamaroa.

Friends may make memorials to the Tamaroa Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.