Margaret Harris

Margaret Jean Harris (Marje) 72, died peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2019 after a brief illness that began on Thanksgiving evening. She was visited throughout the day of the 22nd and throughout her period of illness by loving family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 29 at 1:30 p.m. at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, located at 6900 Lawndale in Houston, Texas 77023. It will be followed by a graveside service at the same location. The service will be officiated by Rector David Browder of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church.

Marje, who was the daughter of Lt. Colonel E. T. Harris and Emma Belle Sampson, was born in Houston, Texas on September 13, 1947. During her childhood, she lived in Japan and the Philippines where her father was stationed before moving to San Antonio where she graduated from high school at St. Mary’s Hall. She graduated college from North Texas State and then earned her Master’s in Library Science from Texas Women’s College.

After college, she returned to Houston to begin her career. She worked for the Houston Public Library for 34 years before retiring. For 30 years, she worked at Clayton Library, the city’s premier Center for Genealogical Research, where she rose to the position of Library Manager and served in this capacity for her last 4 years of service before retiring in 2006. Marje was passionate about genealogy and the research related to this field. She was blessed to have such a meaningful career helping others know their family histories.

Marje continued her genealogical work throughout her retirement by helping many research their family histories – from beginners to the most expert. She also volunteered her time to the Houston Genealogy Forum, hosting numerous seminars to educate genealogy enthusiasts. She donated the proceeds from these classes to this organization.

Marje was also an member in several lineage organizations where she often served in leadership roles including Colonial Dames of America - Chapter VII, Lady Washington Chapter of the National Daughters of the Revolution, Texas Division - National Society Magna Charta Dames and Barons, and the San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

The family is very grateful for the care provided to Marje by her doctors and nurses at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Medical Center and by the Houston Hospice who made the last week of her life comfortable and peaceful. They are also thankful to all the friends who called or visited.

Marje is preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents; Earnest Noel Sampson and Olea Fay Watkins, her first cousins; Judy Jones and Dick Howell.

She is survived by her cousin Gail Hyatt and Dick Howell’s wife, Dot Howell, her 1st cousins once removed; Melinda Little (Russell Little), Michael Jones, Maggie Ramey (William Ramey), Connie McKenzie (Maxfield McKenzie), Harris Howell (Hilary), and her 1st cousins twice removed, Katie Flynn (Patrick Flynn) and their daughter Vivienne Belle Flynn, Will Little, David Little, Alex McKenzie, Hunter McKenzie, Kit Ramey and Trevor Ramey and her precious dog, Lucy.

In lieu of Flowers donations may be made to Houston Hospice or the Houston Genealogical Forum.