Joann S. Harris

Joann S. Harris, RN, MS passed away October 7, 2012. Graveside services will be held at 11am Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Mount Moriah Cemetery South located at 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the American Heart Association.

Joann was one of four children born to Stella Maryann Kemp and Rantie Hubert Harper. After graduating from Sumner High School, Joann entered St. Margaret’s School of Nursing and completed her registered nursing degree. Joann was a staff nurse at St. Margaret’s Hospital for three years and then served as a clinical instructor in the Pediatric Department for three years. After six years of nursing experience, she completed the TWA flight attendant training program in Kansas City and became one of the first African-American flight attendants in the country. Subsequent to her TWA experience, she received her Bachelor of Science degree at St. Mary College. Upon graduation, Joann became a school nurse in the Kansas City Missouri School District.

Joann spent fifteen years as a homemaker while raising her only child. Upon re-entering the workforce, Joann received a fellowship from the University of Kansas wherein she earned a Master of Science Degree in Education. She taught students with Learning Disabilities at the middle school level in the Kansas City Missouri School District until her retirement. Joann is survived by her husband of forty-three years, Dr. Jasper W. Harris, her son, Dr. Jasper W. Harris, Jr., two sisters, Marion Deloris McGriggler of San Antonio, Texas and Doris Jean Blakley of Houston, Texas and a host of nieces and nephews.