Lola Elizabeth Harty

IN MEMORY OF: Lola Elizabeth Harty Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Lola Elizabeth Harty of Murphysboro, IL, was born on September 2, 1947, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to June Allan (Howell) and Charles Vernon Higgs. She passed away on May 7, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. Lola graduated from Murphysboro Township High School in 1965. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Master’s Degree in Special Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She married Robert Joseph Morgan on September 30, 1967, and they had two children, Amy Elizabeth and Robert Andrew. Bobby died in 1979. On April 8, 1988, she married Michael L. Harty and welcomed his daughters, Sarah and Emma, into her family. Lola is survived by her sisters, Mary Anna Worthen of Murphysboro; Ruth Fox (Jim) of Knoxville, TN; and Katy McDonough of Elmhurst, IL. Her children also survive her: Amy Morgan-Falaster (Rick) of Murphysboro, IL, and Andy Morgan (Connie) of Bloomington, IL; her stepdaughters: Sarah Willems of Centennial, CO, and Emma Harty (Troy Woytek) of St. Louis, MO; and her in-laws: Kathi Sullivan, Don Morgan, Jane Kranz, Pat Bower, and Mary Strothmann all from Murphysboro, IL. Her grandchildren called her the "Cool Grandma". Her grandchildren include: Morgan Lyerla (Paige Newfarmer) and Tony Lyerla (Gaby Ramos) of Murphysboro; Molly Bax (Jackson) of Chicago; and Ruthie Morgan of Bloomington, IL. Her step-grandchildren include Katherine, Carter, and Jack Willems of Centennial, CO; Felicity, Michael, Caleb, and Faye Woytek of St. Louis, MO. Lola is survived by numerous granddogs that she loved as well. She is also fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, notably Ashley Abramson (Trevor) of Fulshear, TX. Lola was preceded in death by her father (1951), mother (2000), stepfather Carl Worthen (1981), first husband, Bobby Morgan (1979), husband, Mike Harty (2008), brother, Chuck Higgs (2017), stepsister, Pauline Puttmann (2021), and numerous dogs, especially her beloved beagle, Daisy (2024). After earning her Master’s degree, Lola devoted her career to advocating for the marginalized, especially those facing physical or mental challenges and those experiencing financial, linguistic, or cultural barriers. She worked at Tri-County Special Education in Murphysboro and the Carbondale Women’s Center and retired from the Jackson County Health Department. In retirement, she continued serving her community as a Spanish translator and as a board member at Su Casa Migrant Head Start. Lola cherished time with her many close friends and was known for her vibrant spirit and sense of fun—she was always the life of the party. She loved music, dogs, reading, and a good time. She shared a particularly close friendship with David Horn of Murphysboro, who called her L.B. Together, they watched countless St. Louis Cardinals games and took many memorable trips. A celebration of life will be held in early summer 2025. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lola Elizabeth Harty

September 2, 1947 - May 7, 2025