Kitty, as she was best known, was born April 13, 1931, in Wallisville, Texas, to Dorance Raymond LaFour and Frances Marie “Rennie” (Dunman) LaFour. She graduated from Anahuac High School in 1949, and was a member of the basketball and volleyball teams, and a cheerleader and a majorette – she was a proud and talented baton twirler. Kitty was on the yearbook staff for the Anahuaconian, in the Quill and Scroll (high school journalism honor society), a Football Maid (homecoming court), in the Spanish Club and was also voted Senior Class Favorite.
Kitty went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude, from The University of Houston in 1965. Continuing her path in education led to her receiving a Master of Education degree from Sam Houston State University in 1971. Not too many people know Kitty was a dissertation away from receiving a Ph. D. in Education.
Her longtime career in education was in the Clear Creek Independent School District. She began as a counselor, moving on to become a Principal, and eventually retiring as Superintendent of the school district. However, this was not only her career, but who she was as a person. Kitty was passionate about helping and counseling people, whether it was through her church or family and friends. She was an attentive, caring listener and always offered sound, sensible advice to anyone who asked.
Her other passion was traveling the world – she visited dozens of countries on multiple continents. She loved discovering new places and meeting people from all over the world. Whether by airplane, cruise ship, or car, she loved adventures with family and friends. She lived a long and full life and was loved by so many.
But what Gladys Marie “Kitty” LaFour Harmon will forever be known for is her kindness and generosity. It’s impossible to know how many hundreds, if not thousands of people she affected, especially through her dedication to education. She helped people any way she could. She opened her heart. She opened her mind. She opened her home. She opened her pocketbook. She helped people she knew and loved. She helped people she had never met. She shared everything. She gave everything.
One of her favorite sayings was: “Live. Laugh. Love.” Kitty did that. Another of her favorites was: “Now get out of here.”
Kitty was preceded in death by her parents, Dorance LaFour and Frances Marie “Rennie” Dunman; her first husband, Bobby Ray Harmon (d. 1983); sons from her first marriage, Bobby Jack “BJ” Harmon (d. 2001) and James Durward “Bubba” Harmon (d. 1992); and her late husband – who left us way too soon, the person she was meant to be with, and was the absolute love of her life – her beloved Donald “Don” Glenn Jones (d. 2020).
She is survived by her grandson, Corey Wayne Harmon; her brother, Dan Bates; her nephew, Keith Bates; and many, many more family and friends who loved her dearly and will miss her immensely.
A visitation for Kitty will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598. A celebration of life service will occur Friday, February 23, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598. A committal service will occur Friday, February 23, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Forest Park East Funeral Home & Cemetery, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598.
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