Tributes

Millie was born on November 12, 1936, in Cheneyville, Louisiana to Leon Wemple (1910-1940) and Noble Mead Wemple (1911-1980). She passed on December 8, 2025 at 89 years. Millie is survived by her husband, Jim Harnish, her three children from a previous marriage: Cathy Ragland, Danette Maddux (Richard), Sammy Ragland; step-children Cora Harnish and Beverly Harnish Bias; grandchildren: Melissa Messer (Emmett Barton), Hannah Maddux, Evan and Mitchell Bias (Beverly's boys); great-grandson, Hazel Messer Barton; sister, Leona (Peter) Behr, brother, Richard (Cindy) Rebouche' and dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews. Millie was preceded in death by her older two sisters, Rosalie Brown and Janice Lindsey. At 89 years Millie remained physically active. Sammy had her on a workout program at a gym and checked on her daily. He did! and she did!! Cathy and Sammy had planned a trip with Millie to Colorado to hike up an 8500 ft mountain. Millie especially enjoyed the large family gatherings, and afternoons of playing canasta with Hannah and nephew, Ethan. Millie was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all sports; but her favorite was watching granddaughter, Hannah, play professional women’s volleyball. Over the years, Millie traveled with Danette and Richard across the U.S. to attend and cheer at countless matches. When Millie was three, her father died. She along with her two sisters, Leona and Janice, were placed in the Louisiana Methodist orphanage in Ruston, Louisiana which provided a safe, loving home and strong Christian education. She attended Ruston high school where she developed many lifelong friends. She earned a Certificate of Secretarial Science at Louisiana Tech. At 19 she moved to San Antonio, Texas to be with her mother and older sisters. Eventually she took a job under Civil Service to work as a secretary at Randolph Air Force Base. She quickly became the secretary to the unit’s Commanding Officer because, as she said, “I am very good! Really good!” She was driven to be excellent at everything she did there … and she did so quickly! Upon retirement from Randolph, Millie worked at the local American Airlines call center. She took pride in finding the best prices and the best route for each customer. Millie had a big heart and loved helping others. She baked many loaves of banana nut bread and delivered them to friends. She kept up friends and enjoyed visiting the elderly, family members and friends—especially those with babies. Making pies using from-scratch crusts was her specialty. Jim often joked, “A pie every week. It’s in our marriage contract.” By her previous marriage Millie bore Cathy, Danette and Sammy Ragland. She raised them from their pre-school years to their adulthoods as a single mom. Though firm when necessary, Millie joked with them – often sitting on the floor to play games. She was such a great mom! Millie met Jim Harnish (via San Antonio’s Tall Singles Club) and married him on June 6, 1987 at Christ Episcopal Church. Shortly they moved to the Hills & Dales neighborhood near UTSA. They became active in its home owners’ association. Millie helped with its newsletter and managed pool memberships. She loved the patriotic neighborhood picnics where Jim dressed as Uncle Sam. Whether at work, at home, family gatherings, cruising or “just lunch,” Millie brought laughter. She was so funny and lovable. Throughout Melissa’s childhood, even adulthood, Melissa climbed into grandma’s Lazyboy recliner to “squeeze-in” with her “Gran.” Millie was loved for her humor and her ability to laugh at her “airheaded-ness”. (Ex. mismatched shoes at church; and forgetting to turn off her car engine when meeting friends for lunch.) A few of her favorite things were Gummy Bears, Beignets, and Spanish moss. Millie leaves such a void and will be dearly missed. A grave-side service will be Tuesday, December. 23, 1 p.m. at Mission Park, South Cemetery, 1700 S.E. Military Dr., (Loop 13) San Antonio, Texas 78213. Phone 210-924-4242. A funeral service will be on Monday, January 12 at 1 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Pl., San Antonio, TX 78212, followed by a reception in its on-campus Fellowship Hall. Those wishing to honor Millie through donations may give to the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, P. O. box 929, Ruston, LA 71273 (LMCH.org) …. or to missions at Christ Episcopal Church, (address above) (CECSA.org)

Tributes

Mildred R. Harnish

November 12, 1936 - December 8, 2025