Dallas M. Harris

1950 - 2025

Dallas M. Harris
Alton - Dallas Marie (Burnett) Harris was born December 1, 1950, in Alton, IL, to the union of Theodore and Betty Jean (Hart) Burnett Sr. Dallas accepted the call, gave her life to Christ, and was a member of the Oakwood Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Pastor Roosevelt Reed. She was active in the Singles' Ministry, Pastor's Aide Committee, Kitchen Committee, and anything else she liked to do. Pastor Reed loved and often asked for a personal pan of her cornbread dressing. Dallas attended the Alton Public School System. She married the love of her life, David Harris Sr. and four children were born into this union.
Dallas, aka, Tough J R, was among the most beautiful, loving, selfless, nurturing, caring, protective, and strongest women ever met. Dallas was the second eldest of eleven children. After losing her mother at an early age, she accepted the responsibility of helping to raise her siblings. Dallas always gave her best. She was a loving mother, sister, and friend to many. She was a caretaker to her late brother, Harold (Gene). Dallas was full of compassion, love, and inquisitiveness, and she spoke her mind. Her hobbies included: cooking and listening to music. She loved to watch wrestling and boxing and was very active in her grandkids' activities. She was creative, loved cleaning and helping others, and enjoyed traveling, playing cards, laughing, and socializing with family and friends. Dallas worked for Alton, Alton Telegraph, Laidlaw Bus Company, and the Riverbend Foster Grandparents Program. She departed this life Friday, April 11, 2025, in her daughter's home in Alton, IL, with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Betty Jean (Hart) Burnett Sr.; one sister, Vivian Alton; her husband, David Harris Sr.; one son, David Harris Jr.; two brothers, Harold Burnett and Theodore Burnett Jr.; a brother-in-law, Michael Fletcher; and two great-granddaughters, Da'Neri Jackson and Layla Marie Willis. She leaves to cherish her memories: Albert (DeCarol) Burnett; Richard (Andrea) Harris; Tonya (Ben) Willis, all of Alton, IL; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; four sisters: Mary (Paul) Lunsford and Gloria Burnett of Alton, IL, Beverly Fletcher of Mulberry Grove, IL, Gwendolyn Hymes of Rochester, NY; three brothers: Lloyd and Robert Burnett of Alton, IL., Lawrence Burnett of Taylorville, IL.; special friends, Mary Catherine Ward, Jerri Kinard, Vickey Baker, Marg Brown, Shirley Turner Smith; god son Shawn Kinard; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. Visitation Thursday, April 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. until time of service at noon, at Cathy M. Williams & Sons Funeral Home in Alton.
Burial, Upper Alton Cemetery.