Julia Ruth Harmon's Obituary
Julia Ruth Harmon, age 93, of Dallas and Richardson, Texas went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at her home at Appletree Court Assisted Living. She was born in 1932 in Memphis, Tennessee, the 5th child and 2nd daughter of Q.B. and Estelle Goode. Julia was born during the Great Depression in the front bedroom of the house that her father built. Her family was extraordinary. The Goodes were active in church, faithful to the Lord, and dedicated to serving and helping others. Julia grew up in a creative, talented family. She excelled in music, sewing and learning. Her family was resourceful and rich in blessings.
Julia loved learning and was an outstanding student with many honors. She attended Messick School for all twelve grades. Julia graduated from Memphis State, now called the University of Memphis, earning her degree with a double major in Education and Home Economics. She taught at Cherokee Elementary in Memphis after graduation.
Julia was talented and loved to serve. She loved music, joining her first church choir at the age of 13. She played the piano by ear, learning by listening to her sister’s piano lessons. Piano gave her many opportunities to play for choir and special events. She met her husband, Verlon, at Memphis State through her older brother, while accompanying their fraternity on piano for their ‘All Sing’ performance. Verlon had a wonderful tenor voice and Julia was an alto. Julia and Verlon married after 6 ½ year of dating and writing letters to each other during his service in the Army during the Korean War. They were quite the “Duet”.
After they were married, they moved to Texas. When their daughters were born, Julia took a break from teaching school, but taught 3rd grade children’s choir for 13 years at the church. Once their daughters were in school, Julia became a substitute teacher for RISD, later accepting a permanent position as a 3rd grade teacher at Bowie Elementary. Julia led “Invention Convention” at Bowie to encourage young inventors at the elementary school level. Julia taught at Bowie for more than 17 years. In retirement, Julia taught English for International Friends at church.
Julia was a gifted seamstress. She used her sewing talents to make clothing for family, costumes for church, and wedding and bridesmaid’s dresses. She helped make finger puppets for the Children’s Hospital patients and hundreds of small pillows for the pastors to take on hospital visits. In her 90s, Julia helped make mats for the homeless.
Julia was a 65-year member of First Baptist Church of Richardson (FBCR). With her husband Verlon, she worked with many age groups including the Single Adults Class. After many matches were made, Julia and Verlon were “promoted” to work with the young married couples. Later, they returned to the Children’s Department to teach the Kindergarten children of the young married couples. Throughout their years at FBCR, they loved singing with the adult choir and later, the senior adult Goldenaires choir, as well as in many smaller ensembles. Julia volunteered at Appletree Court for the monthly birthday parties led by FBCR, and later enjoyed attending those parties as a resident.
Julia and Verlon served together throughout their 62 years of marriage. They volunteered in their community as well. They knew their neighbors, participating in VIP (volunteers in Patrol), the SCCO (Spring Creek Civic Organization) and the annual Memorial Day parade. They were residents of their Spring Creek neighborhood for over 50 years. Julia’s final residence was at Appletree Court Assisted Living for almost 6 years, where she made wonderful friends, enjoyed music and activities and was cared for by wonderful staff. We are grateful for her personal caregivers from Brighton Gardens, who helped Julia and became special friends.
Julia was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Verlon, sister Jean Black, four brothers Bill, George, Fletcher, and Buford Goode; 3 brothers-in-law Doug Black, Robert Harmon and Bud Hamilton; sisters-in-law Martha, Ann and Alexandra Goode; nieces and nephews Amy Ann Goode, Mary Martha Dilley, Buddy Goode, Paul Bolton, Ron Fortson, Emilie Hamilton, Liz Lyons, Harlow Harmon and many dear friends.
Left to celebrate her life are 2 daughters and sons-in-law: Jennifer and David Webb of Dallas, and Miriam and Allan Clayton of Bryan; 4 grandchildren: Eric Clayton, Lisa Scofield and her husband, Reid of Houston, and Daniel and Andrew Webb of Dallas. Julia is also survived by 2 great granddaughters, Ruth and Holly; three sisters-in-law, Jeannine, LaVon and Christina; several nieces and nephews – all favorites, and many others who loved her like family.
In lieu of flowers, Julia would be honored by gifts to First Baptist Church of Richardson, or a school or charity of your choice.
Services will be held on Saturday, June 14 at 1 pm at First Baptist Church, Richardson located at 1001 N Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080.
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