Vigen Memorial Home obituary - Lilly M. Harris, 74, Keokuk

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Lilly Mae Harris, 74 of Keokuk, IA passed away Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.

     She was born June 25, 1946 in Waterloo, IA, the daughter of Rufus and Marjorie Runyan Tompkins.  She married the late Daniel R. Meek and from that union they had four children.  Tony (Lynne) Meek of Sweetwater, TN, Karla Meek of Keokuk, Mark (Tina) Meek of Keokuk and Dawn (Colin) Grosskreutz of Keller, TX.  She is also survived by four step-children with her marriage to the late Larry L. Reeves, Michael (Dorothy) Reeves of Winchester, MO, Kimberly Anderson of Donnellson, IA, Dean Reeves and Douglas Reeves both of Keokuk. 

     Other survivors include her third husband, William Harris, two brothers, Roger (Debbie) Tompkins and Dewayne (Becky) Tompkins, fourteen grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

     Lilly was preceded in death by her parents, her foster parents, Ed and Evelyn Gerner, one step-son, Mark Reeves, one brother, J.R. Tompkins, one sister, Barbara Tompkins and one niece, Patricia Tompkins.

     Lilly would be best remembered for her excellent cooking.  She worked in several restaurants, including Trails Restaurant, HD Lee Cafeteria and the L&L Truck Stop.  Thanksgiving was a large family affair and her favorite holiday.  Dressing, goulash, bread pudding and biscuits and gravy were all an annual tradition.  Her kids would “call her out” if she ever altered her recipe. 

     She never knew a stranger and enjoyed talking to friends and family.  All the family knew mom’s loud whistle, her phrase “front and center” and she would use her pointer finger left to right to let everyone know they were all in trouble.

     Her sense of humor, her boisterous character and her life of the party will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

     A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA.  Social distancing requirements will be in place and masks are recommended at the funeral home.

    Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1-2 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home with family meeting with friends at that time.

     Memorials may be made to the family.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com

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