Dolores W. Harp

Dolores W. Harp of Roodhouse passed away at her home on February 1, 2026. She was born May 18, 1928, in Jacksonville, IL, the daughter of James Weir Lynn and Mabel Elizabeth Dickerson Lynn. On June 27, 1948, she married R. Merle Harp at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Jacksonville. They celebrated more than 60 years of marriage before his passing on May 20, 2009. She is survived by three daughters: LynAnne Ballard (Jim) of White Hall, Beth Huffines (Charles) of Roodhouse, and Dixie Harp (companion Don Burton) of White Hall and daughter-in-law, Yvonne Harp of Carrollton. Dolores leaves behind a large, loving legacy of 12 grandchildren: Amber Bruns, Amy Clanton, Wes Ballard, Barbi Ballard, Maddison Goedeker, Cody Huffines, Lauren Huffines, Dustin Woods, Scott Cardwell, Leighton Harp, Chelsey Barnes, and Tabby Long. She is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Marilyn Denny and Donna Harp, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merle; her in-laws, lovingly referred to as the folks; her sister, Georgeanne Marine; two sons, Randy and Richard Harp; and four grandchildren: Chloe Murphy, Zeke Alexander, T.J. Huffines, and Kerr Ballard. A graduate of Jacksonville High School, Dolores worked at the Jacksonville Public Library until her marriage, when she moved to Roodhouse to become a dedicated wife, homemaker, and mother. She was a constant presence in her children's lives, serving as a room mother and leader for the Brownies and Cub Scouts. She was very active and insisted all her children learn to swim in the family pond. Her home was a neighborhood gathering place with extra kids around the dinner table most nights; Sunday evenings were famously reserved for Disney, popcorn, and soda with all the local kids. Dolores was an active member of the Roodhouse Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and served on the church board. In the summers, she stayed busy canning vegetables and making jams from her own garden. She enjoyed cooking and sharing her meals and recipes throughout her lifetime. Once her children were older, she returned to the workforce, starting in the accounting department at Mobil in Jacksonville. She later worked in the OA. Department at Affiliated Labs (later Beecham) in White Hall to be closer to home. She eventually retired as the Personnel Director from SmithKline-Beecham. In retirement, Dolores remained deeply involved in her community, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, the Food Bank, me Roodhouse Library Board, the Crisis and Listening Center, Eastern Star, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Roodhouse Museum. She also set about instilling family traditions and stories of her youth in the hearts and minds of her grandchildren. She also became an avid reader. A lifelong lover of warm weather, she and Merle wintered in Harlingen, TX, for many years. There, she volunteered for literacy programs in local schools, a service she continued at North Greene Grade School in Roodhouse. Dolores loved her family greatly and her Lord immensely. A devoted Christian, she had the Bible in her hands every night before bed and took great joy in sharing the scripture and the love of Jesus Christ. Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Grandma-Great, friend, and Do must surely be reveling in the glorious joys of heaven. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday March 7, 2026, at the Daws Family Funeral Home in Roodhouse with a private family inurnment in the Manchester Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow after the services at the First Baptist Church in Roodhouse. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Manchester Cemetery, Roodhouse Public Library or The Chloe Foundation.

Dolores W. Harp

May 18, 1928 - February 1, 2026