Zela Harris Obituary

Funeral services for Zela "Fern" Harris, 86, West Plains, Mo., will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Harris passed away Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Cox South, Springfield, Mo.

She was born Feb. 24, 1939, in Koshkonong, Mo., to the late Hobert Miller and Gertrude Judd Miller. On Dec. 23, 1961, she was married in Camarillo, Calif., to Claude Kenneth Harris, who preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 2014.

When she was young, Fern sang at church with her sister Peggy. She played varsity volleyball from junior high until she graduated from Thomasville High School in 1957.

Fern moved to Camarillo to marry Ken, who was serving in the United States Navy. They welcomed their three children during their time in California. Once Ken completed his tour, they moved back to Missouri and settled in Sedalia, Mo. in 1971. After Ken's passing, she fulfilled their retirement plans and moved back home, settling in West Plains in 2019.

Fern retired from Best Western in Sedalia.

She became known for her fried chicken which was frequently requested by country music artists performing at the Missouri State Fair. Fern enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, going to sporting events and 4-H shows, working in her flower gardens, going antiquing, family gatherings and watching baseball and football.

She is survived by two sons Ricky Lee Harris (Cindy), Cole Camp, Mo., and Kenneth Ray Harris (Leslie), Sedalia; one daughter Vicki Lynn Harris, West Plains; six grandchildren Elyssa Harris, Tyler Harris (Shelbi), Briar Smith, Zofia Smith, Kellough Smith and Buzz Harris; three great-grandchildren; one sister Peggy Huddleston, West Plains; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents; husband; seven siblings Cecil Miller, Joe Miller, Emma Roark, Margaret Carter, Minerva McKenzie, Faye Johnston and Cora Winfrey; and three infant brothers Carl, Ray and Harold Miller preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 9 until 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at Hickory Grove Cemetery, Alton, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to Hickory Grove Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains. Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com.