Mary Lou Chancey Harris, 98, of Decatur, Alabama, entered the gates of Heaven on Thursday, July 16, 2026. She was born on March 6, 1928, in Copperhill, Tennessee, to the late William H. Chancey and Mary Maude Dollar Chancey.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert E. Harris; her parents; and her brothers, John Chancey, Warren Chancey and William Chancey.
Mary Lou was raised in Copperhill, Tennessee, and attended Emory University. She later moved with her husband to Decatur, where Robert was employed by Monsanto. She devoted herself to raising their children and, after they were grown, worked for the Department of Pensions and Security.
A woman of deep faith, Mary Lou loved the Lord and His Word. She was a longtime member of Grant Street Church of Christ, where her husband faithfully served as an elder for many years.
She is survived by her two sons, Robert Edward (Ingrid) Harris, Jr. and John Stephen (Lou Anne) Harris; her daughter, Helen Harris (Gary) Wagner; her grandchildren, Kathryn Leigh Harris of Bandhagen, Sweden, and John Stephen (Ashley) Harris, Jr. of Florence, Alabama; her great-grandson, Silven Harris of Florence, Alabama; and her cousins, Dick Dollar of Newnan, Ga., Ernie Meek and Thomas Robey both of Austin, Tx.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Roselawn Cemetery in Decatur, Alabama. Her son, John Stephen Harris, and her son-in-law, Gary Wagner, will officiate the service.
Mary Lou will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her devotion to her family, and the quiet strength and grace with which she lived her life. Her legacy of love and Christian service will continue to inspire all who knew her.
