DOVER - Ruth Esther (McGinnis) Harris, of Dover, 92, returned peacefully to heaven, surrounded by her family at home on Thursday, July 21, 2011. Ruth was born on Dec. 25, 1918, in Dover, to Herman and Martha McGinnis, and lived her entire life in Dover. She married the Love of Her Life, Douglas L. Harris on Dec. 28, 1944, who preceded her in death in 1998. Ruth was a member of People's Church of Dover where she attended since she was 6 years old. She served on many boards and committees for the Church throughout her years. She dedicated numerous years of service to God through her commitment to local missions and charitable organizations in the Dover Area. Ruth began her working career as a young entrepreneur opening a Beauty Shop, "Ruth's Salon" in Camden in 1938. When the war began in 1943, Ruth enlisted in the Women's Army Corps where she served 2 years stationed at the Pentagon. She worked in the "Secret Room" receiving data on missions that her boyfriend, eventually husband, serving as a B-17 pilot flying over Germany would have to complete. At the end of the war, Ruth often joked that Doug commissioned himself an airplane from the base he was commander of, flew to Washington, picked her up and brought her to Dover to be married. A love story that ended in happily Ever After….. Upon leaving military service, Ruth and Doug built their home on property they purchased along the St. Jones River, where they both spent the remainder of their lives, on what is lovingly referred to as "The Harris Compound". In early years, Ruth worked for Playtex and helped Doug with the family owned business, Delmarva Warehouses. Her passion was always her children and her horses. Summers were spent at PickeringBeach, riding horses and on a golf course. In later years Ruth enjoyed spending time at the Dover Art League and offered volunteer service with Family Court. As Doug retired, Ruth spent winters in Florida and summers on a sailboat in Oxford, Maryland. Her senior years have been spent enjoying card playing with her good friends, watching wildlife on the St Jones River from her living room window, attending and continuing to be active at church and living in the midst of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth, in addition to her parents and her husband, was preceded in death by her son, Bruce E Harris; sisters, Mabel Hayes and Grace Merriman; and brothers, Jim McGinnis and Walter McGinnis. She is survived by one remaining older sister, Anne (Tootsie) Price of Seaford, who is 103 years old; her son, Michael R. Harris (Connie) of Millsboro; daughters, Beth Armiger (Joe) of the Harris Compound, Dover, and Sue Harris-Hunt (Bruce) of the Harris Compound; grandchildren, Mitch Harris of Seaford, Matthew Harris of Denver, Colo., Donna Harris of the Harris Compound, Breanne Preisen of the Harris Compound, Aerielle Bartlett of Dover, Kestrel McCliment of the Harris Compound, Douglas L. Hunt of the Harris Compound, Raven Armiger of the Harris Compound; great-grandchildren, Josh Harris, Ashley Harris, Colyn Tyre, and Danaka Nichols; and her beloved dog, Nicky. A memorial service to Celebrate Ruth's life will be held at People's Church of Dover, 46 S. Bradford Street, Dover, at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 28, 2011. Memorial Contributions are requested in lieu of flowers to People's Church for Local Mission projects or to the SPCA. Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh@aol.com or
www.delmarvaobits.com. Arrangements by Trader Funeral Home Inc. 12 Lotus Street, Dover.
