Helen B. Harris, 89, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, at the Villas of Hollybrook. She was surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on February 1, 1937, to Jasper and Gertrude (King) Dover. Helen grew up in Grand Chain, Illinois, a small southern Illinois town located approximately 3 miles north of the Ohio River. She grew up on a farm with her siblings and parents. It was a simple life full of family, church, and a close-knit community. She even had a pet lamb as a child which she loved. She fondly remembered going into town on Saturdays with her dad and they would go to the local general store and treat themselves to bologna and crackers.
Helen attended Grand Chain High School as a teenager and was a cheerleader there. It was in that tight-knit community that she met the absolute love of her life, Fred Harris. On July 9, 1952, they secretly met and ran off to Corinth, Mississippi where they were married and started their life together as a couple. They enjoyed 73 wonderful years of marriage together. Their lives were centered around God, their marriage, and family. She was a hairdresser for 20+ years and even had her own shop on Mt. Carmel’s Main Street. The name of the shop was The O’Haira House. She was a member of Parkview Christian Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois for over 50+ years and was always actively involved in helping by cooking meals for others and using her excellent seamstress skills to alter clothing for the Caring Closet children.
Helen and Fred spent many winters in Florida enjoying the warm weather and getting together with their Florida friends and faithfully attended Winter Haven Christian Church. Helen loved to play tennis and golf with her friends and her husband. She had a wonderfully competitive spirit that was a constant source of amusement to her family.
She had a great sense of humor while always being kind and generous to others. She approached life with honesty and enthusiasm.
For over 20 years, Helen stood faithfully beside her husband, Fred, as a devoted coach’s wife, in Eldorado and Mt. Carmel, offering her unwavering support and encouragement at every game they went to.
Helen is survived by her husband, Fred, her children: Rodney (Terri) Harris, Sheree McDonald, Kim (Tim) Zimmer, Ellen (Jerry) Hocking, grandchildren: Melanie (Jason) Brashears, Natalie (Nate) Stevenson, Michelle (Jeff) Seaton, Chris (Ashley) McDonald, Damien (Katelyn) McDonald, Brianne (Scott) Foster, Joey (LeaAnn) Hungerford, Jeremy (Alyssa) Hocking, Jesse (Laura) Hocking, Steven (Sarah) Zimmer, Derek (Cassie) Zimmer, Lauren (Philip) Hocking, and great-grandchildren: Christian, Chloe, Madisyn, Sophia, Drake, Aubrey, Parker, Preston, Arden, Amelia, Myles, Harvey, Marlise, Miriem, Madeline, Mabrey, Ethan, Issac, Eli, Ben, Blake, Zoey, Peyton, Thayer, Sawyer, Ryker, Roxas, Axel, and Kairi.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, J.C. Dover, sisters, Hazel Helm and Georgia Badgely and sons-in-law, Terry McDonald and Dana Hungerford. Helen was also preceded in death by her great-grandchildren Elijah, Alyse and cherished Hocking grandchild who was lost before birth.
We have traveled many miles with Helen and today we have journeyed with her as far as her earthly life allows. We step back and commit her spirit to God, her Father. Our lives are richly blessed having walked beside her throughout her journey on earth. She will be missed.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Hollybrook, Hospice in New Harmony, Dr. Jennings and his staff, Dr. Ahmed and his exceptional team for the outstanding care, kindness, and support they provided.
Visitation for Helen will be Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Parkview Christian Church, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Parkview Christian Church.
Burial will follow the service at Antioch Cemetery.
Memorial contributions for Helen Harris can be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital and Oilbelt Christian Church Camp. Envelopes will be available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home and Parkview Christian Church.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Helen Harris’s family
