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Paula Lee Harris, 72
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Published: Sep 7, 2024, 8:08 PM

Rock Island resident and Buffalo, N.Y. native Paula Lee Harris, 72, was born Jan. 12, 1952 and died Sept. 5, 2024 at her residence following a short illness. 

A homemaker and interpreter for the deaf, she was the daughter of the late Frank Earl Hoy and June Ester Webb Hoy Bateman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by first husband, John Bassett and second husband, Victor Harris.

Mrs. Harris is survived by children, John (Debbie) Bassett and Jennifer (Jerry) Hensley both of Mechanicsville, Va. and Kelly (Joe) Schoolfield of Rock Island; step-son, Bryan Harris; grandchildren, Allyson Bower, John Bassett Jr., Daisy Coates, Erica Devore, Katelyn Kichta, Madison Stevens, Caedmon Schoolfield, Liam Schoolfield, Ben Schoolfield, Simon Schoolfield, Ellyanna Schoolfield and Olivia Schoolfield; great-grandchildren, Autumn, Juliette, Gideon, Chloe, Hayden, Valerie and Leeland; brothers, Kevin Hoy and Kent Hoy; sisters, Pamela Harris and Claudia Richardson; step-parents, Roy and Shirley Bateman and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 at Old Bybee Chapel Cemetery in Rock Island. There will be no service or visitation at High's. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan's Purse or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard

(McMinnville, Tenn.) Sept. 8, 2024
Thomas Norman Theiss, Sr., 77
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Published: Apr 2, 2025, 10:13 PM

Thomas Norman Theiss, Sr. was born May 24, 1947 and went home to be with Jesus on Friday afternoon, March 28, 2025. He was born and lived in Michigan for 45 years and then moved to McMinnville, Tennessee for the last 32 years.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Donald and Caroline Filipowski Theiss; brother, Donald Theiss and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Eula Presley.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 51 years, Glenda Marie Presley Theiss; children, Susan (Mark) Long, Brandy Perez, Cindy Hale, Gwendolyn (Richard) Holt, Tammy Norma Theiss, and Tommy Norman Theiss, Jr.; grandchildren, Sean, Gabriel, Jaylen, Gavin, Tommy Ray, Hannah, and Diane; great-granddaughters, Lea and Luci; sisters, Cheryl (Butch) Galyon, Lorry Cantrell, Debra Prokoff; brother, Larry (Carolyn) Theiss; many sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Tom enjoyed fishing, hunting, serving the Lord as well as playing games with the children, cooking and eating wild meat. He really enjoyed his church family at Peoples Pentecostal Church, where he faithfully attended.

Funeral Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Peoples Pentecostal Church with his pastor, Michael Hewell and Jay Young officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday 2 p.m. until 7 p.m., Monday 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Tuesday 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. al visitation at Peoples Pentecostal Church.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Theiss family.