Joan Marlene McKinley Harris, age 79, a resident of Bertrand, Missouri died April 3, 2016 at Parkview Nursing & Rehab Center in Paducah, KY after an extended illness.

She was born May 16, 1936 in Bertrand, Missouri to the late William B. and Rosa McKenney McKinley. Marlene graduated from Charleston High School in 1954 and attended Central Methodist College on an instrumental music scholarship. She transferred to Southeast Missouri State University to continue her education before her marriage.

On Dec. 22, 1955 she married C.D. "Bob" Harris who preceded her in death on December 4, 2014.

Her marriage to a career Navy man took the family to California, Missouri, Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin and Illinois. During those moves Marlene was employed by a variety of companies in accounting and bookkeeping. Upon her husband's retirement in 1975 they returned to Bertrand and took over operations of McKinley Oil Co. changing the name to Harris Oil Co. Marlene served as the first female mayor of Bertrand, serving from 1976-1978. In 1981 Marlene received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Missouri Municipal League for outstanding leadership on behalf of her city and state. In 1992 the Harris's retired with the closing of Harris Oil Co.

Surviving are three children, C. Donald Harris, Jr. and wife Beverly of Cape Girardeau, Karen Harris Story and husband Stephen of Paducah, KY, and Mikki (Marla) Dorsey of Seattle, WA, and five grandchildren, Rachel Harris of Sikeston, MO, Adam Dorsey of College Station, TX, Alexander Story of College Station, TX, Zachary Story of Carbondale, IL and Kathryn Story, of Paducah, KY.

Visitation will be held at the McMikle Funeral Home from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.

Private family graveside services will follow. Father Patrick Ike Nwokoye, pastor of St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston, will officiate.


Memorials contributions may be given to the charity of the donor's choice.