Emma Ruth Harris

Emma Ruth Harris was born October 3, 1942, in Beebe, Arkansas, to Hartford and Nora Harris. She was peacefully called home to Heaven on March 5th, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Bill (Wanda) Harris, Guy (Norma) Harris, and Louis Johnson and her nieces Debbie Harris and Cathy (R.D.) Davis.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Peggy Johnson Hamby and nieces and nephews John (Bernice) Harris, Richard (Linda) Harris, Ruth “Dusty” (Ron) Doughty, William “Biff” (Janet) Harris, Vicki Harris, Stephen (Pat) Johnson, Teri (Dwayne) Roper, along with a host of great-nieces/nephews and extended family.

In the 30 years when she lived in Wisconsin, she was embraced by an extended family. She was preceded in death by Edward “Dick” Sauls. She is survived by Mary Nell Sauls and their children, Dickie (Patty) Sauls and Margie (Jack) Blair-Petges and grand-nieces/nephews; Terri (Michael) Engels and her granddaughter Samantha (Thaddeus) Cooper and her great-grandchildren, Addelyn and Oliver Cooper.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University, where she formed lifelong friendships with Mary Wood and Mary Nell Sauls, whom Mama Red affectionately referred to as “the three girls.”

Emma Ruth dedicated her life to education and ministry. She began her teaching career in Bryant, AR, where she taught elementary school for six years before answering a call to serve in home missions in Wisconsin. She went on to teach elementary school in Kenosha, WI for 32 years, spending nearly all those years teaching first grade, with one year in second grade. Beyond the classroom, Emma Ruth was deeply involved in ministry, leading backyard Bible clubs and helping start churches, including Fellowship Baptist Church, where she faithfully played the piano each Sunday.

She moved back to Arkansas upon her retirement from teaching to care for her mother and was a regular member of Old Austin Baptist Church. Emma Ruth will be remembered for her lifelong dedication to teaching, her service to her faith, and the countless children and families whose lives she touched through both her classroom and her ministry.

Visitation will be Monday, March 9, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Smith Westbrook Funeral Home, 404 W Dewitt Henry, Beebe, followed immediately by the funeral service. Burial will be at the Butlerville Cemetery. Arrangements by Smith Westbrook Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.smithfamilycares.com