Thelma Harlan Lape

Thelma Harlan Lape, daughter of the late Marion F. Harlan and Chloe Ross Harlan was born on Dec. 23, 1923, at Grayridge and died at her residence in Dexter on Aug. 30, 2013, at the age of 89.

Mrs. Lape was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter, and had been a teacher for 31 years, retiring in 1973. She was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association and a resident of Dexter.

She was united in marriage to Leo R. Lape on Nov. 29, 1941, at Benton. Mr. Lape preceded her in death on Feb. 15, 1995.

She is survived by one sister, Elma Harlan Brown of Dexter; seven nieces, Verna G. Tyler of Redmond, Wash., Laquitta Herren of Venice, Fla., Jennifer Bowman of Broken Arrow, Okla., Toni Hoobler of Livonia, Mich., Brenda Lowe of McQueeney, Texas, Helen Martin and Karen Davis both of St. Charles; four nephews, Ronald Harlan of Birmingham, Ala., Bob Shearon of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lorin Vaughn of West Plains and Larry Vaughn of Ste. Genevieve.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Edmond Harlan, Hollis Harlan, Alvin Harlan, Sonny Harlan and Oliver Harlan; three sisters, Bertha Vaughn, Mabel Shearon and Maxine Harlan.

Visitation was held at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 1p.m. -3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013. Funeral services were conducted at 3 p.m. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Rich Lee officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials may be made to the Tri-County Hospice.