Obituary of Jewell Tucker-Harris

Jewell Tucker-Harris, 95 ½, passed away Saturday December 19, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. Born June 11, 1920 near Bryant, OK to James Madison and Clara (Hamilton) George, Jewell graduated from Doniphan High School and married Russell Tucker in 1939. She continued her education at Arkansas State University earning Bachelor’s (1959) and master’s degrees (1966) while teaching full time in Ripley County for more than 30 years. Students from Spain, Towles, Pine Grove, Post Oak, R-3, Oxly elementary schools and Doniphan High School will remember her fierce determination that they learn. Throughout her married life she also helped operate the general store at Tucker, known at various times as Cox and Tucker, Tucker Brothers, and Tucker’s Store. She was preceded in death by her husband Russell in 1995. In 1999 Jewell married Herb Harris of Gatewood, who died in 2009. In 2008 Jewell moved to Dallas, TX to live with her daughter, Gailya Johnson. She is survived by that daughter, two grandchildren, Karen Jacot (Jeff) of Boulder, CO and Scott Johnson of San Francisco, CA, a step-son, Keith Harris (Anna Hanser) of Gatewood, two step-grandchildren, Matt and Luke Harris, a great-grandson, Lyle Jacot, four step great-grandchildren, Jacob, Grace, Noah, and Faith, a sister-in-law, Dea (McCamey) Tucker of Tucker, MO and numerous nephews and nieces. Preceding her in death are eight siblings, Jesse Rainwater, Elsie Rainwater, Bertha Felkins (Andrew), Bessie Butler (Lonnie), Clarence Rainwater (Ola), Lawrence Rainwater (Imogene Stevens, who surivives), Earl Rainwater (Ader Holloway), and Dee Condor (Essie Holloway). Visitation will begin Monday, December 28, 2015, at noon at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Phillip Raninwater, nephew of Jewell, officiating. Burial will be in the Tucker Cemetery at Tucker, Missouri.