Sharon “Sue” Rose (Birkert) Harris, age 80, passed away on April 11, 2024. Born on August 31, 1943, in Breckenridge, Texas, Sue was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who brought joy and warmth to every life she touched.
Sue spent her early years in Texas then Oklahoma before moving to Falls City, Nebraska in 1954. In Falls City she met Ronnie “Ron” Lee Harris. They eloped to Kansas in 1958 and, in 1959, Sue gave birth to her first son, Michael Sidney Harris. In 1961, she gave birth to her second son, Scottie Lee Harris.
Sue and her family eventually moved to Hastings, Nebraska where her sons graduated high school. Sue and Ron embarked on multiple businesses, including owning Hastings’ then largest used car dealership, Mid Nebraska Auto Sales, and an antique business. In 1984, Sue and Ron moved to Bull Shoals Lake near Yellville, Arkansas. They lived on their hilltop house overlooking the lake, which was built by Ron’s parents. Sue remained in Arkansas until 2017 when she moved to Rockwall, Texas to be near her son, Scott.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, and her son, Michael.
Her legacy continues through her surviving family members, including her son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Susan Harris, her grandchildren Taylor, Austin, Alex, and Lauren Harris, and great-grandchildren, Hawkins, Preston, and Palmer, who were the light of her life. Also, brother-in-law, Ed Harris, wife Deb, nephew Dan Harris, nieces Jessi Harris and Katie Huppert. Sue devoted much of her time and energy to creating memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always putting her family’s needs before her own.
Sue loved spending time with family, collecting antiques, caring for animals, watching sports, and keeping up on the latest local news in her past hometowns. She was the center of every family gathering and celebration. She had a special gift for writing heartfelt cards on every holiday, birthday, and anniversary. She loved playing games, especially pitch and poker. She was also adamant that everyone was well fed. Sue was the heart of the Harris home—always present, baking her delicious cookies, and filling the room with laughter. Sue was also a familiar face in every community where she lived. You could often find Sue chatting with neighbors and even strangers, spreading kindness and forming connections wherever she went. Her adventurous spirit also led her to travel extensively, enjoying cruises and driving from town to town throughout the Midwest selling and buying antiques and meeting people along the way. Sue was also a staunch supporter of her family’s sporting endeavors, Sue never missed a game or an opportunity to cheer from the sidelines, her pride in her family’s achievements evident in her enthusiastic applause.
Sue’s life was a testament to the beauty of investing in relationships and the joy of everyday moments. Her legacy of love, compassion, and community will continue to inspire those who knew her. Sue Harris will be deeply missed but forever remembered as a cornerstone of her family and a beacon of joy and generosity in her community.
In lieu of flowers and in light of Sue’s love for animals in need, we ask her friends and family to donate to their local animal shelter or humane society.
