Laura Lucille Fausett Harris

Laura Fausett Harris Kankakee, Illinois — Laura Lucille Fausett Harris, aged 97, died July 11, 2025 in her Kankakee home, where she resided since 1962. Laura was born the second child, April 23, 1928, at the Fausett homestead farm near Sidell, Illinois, to Floyd Vernon and Belva Blossom [Vaughn] Fausett. Laura married Donald Joseph Harris, of Effingham, Illinois, on March 10, 1951, at the Sidell Baptist Church, before Donald reported to active duty in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Donald preceded Laura in his death on March 01, 2013. They were married for nearly sixty-two years. Laura was a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She taught band and choir at Bismarck High School, Illinois, and orchestra and choir in west Kankakee. She musically performed for various functions on the piano, violin, and on her marimba. Laura also started, and taught the kindergarten program at Immanuel Baptist Church in Kankakee. Laura Harris was of a protestant Christian faith. She was a sixty-seven year member of Governor Bradford Chapter of DAR, in Danville, Illinois, and a former member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Laura was a lover of fashion, a collector of ornamental knick-knacks, who loved to shop twenty-four-seven, as she was “Keeping Up Appearances.” Surviving is her only child, Steven Joseph [Laura Byarley] Harris. Also surviving is niece Libby McIntyre [Steve] Happ of Camargo, Illinois, nephew Malcolm McIntyre of Newman, Illinois, niece Linda Randolph Ferguson of Kagawong, Ontario, Canada, nephew Robert [Judi] Randolph Jr. of Winter Haven, Florida, and various great nieces and nephews. Along with her husband, Laura Harris was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Frances Fausett McIntrye, brother-in-law James McIntyre of Newman, Illinois, nephew-in-law James Ferguson of Kagawong, Ontario, Canada, and nephew Malcolm McIntyre’s two children, Brad and Rebecca McIntyre of Newman, Illinois. Cremation rites have been accorded by Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes, Kankakee, Illinois. There will be no service. A private inurnment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Sidell, Illinois. “Go rest high on that mountain, girl your work on earth is done. Wish I could see the angels faces, when they hear your sweet voice sing.“ —Vince Gill. Praise be for the compassionate care from the doctors and nurses of Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, Ascension at Home, and Uplifted Care hospice, all of Kankakee, Illinois, during Laura Harris’s last few weeks.

Laura Lucille Fausett Harris

April 23, 1928 - July 11, 2025