Irma Ruth Harlan

View Video TributeIrma Ruth Harlan, 80, resident of Kimberly Drive, died Thursday, December 29, 2011. Ms. Harlan was also a long time resident of Savannah, GA.Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Scott Aleridge and Rev. Melinda Britt officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Monday, Jan. 2 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to service time at the church.The family suggests memorials to First United Methodist Church, 222 West Seventh Street, Columbia, TN 38401 and the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 1864, Columbia, TN 38402. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born in Columbia, she received an undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a masters degree from Peabody, which is now a part of Vanderbilt University. She was Director of Tennessee Bluegrass Regional Library before moving to Savannah, GA, and becoming director of the three-county library system for Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties. While in Savannah she was an elder of First Christian Church, a member of the Pilot Club, the Kiwanis Club, AAUW and many other civic activities. She volunteered regularly for many charitable organizations. Ms. Harlan moved back to Columbia in 2000 following her retirement in 1996.She was a member of First United Methodist Church, serving as a trustee for FUMC, former member of the Official Board of FUMC, vice-president of FUMW, vice-president of UMDistrict UMW, member of the Ayers-Whitney Fellowship Class, member of Sew and Sews at FUMC and Dorothy Jackson Circle. She was a volunteer at Maury Regional Medical Center, member of the Ambassadors for Maury Regional Medical Center, belonged to the Thursday Club, met monthly with the Columbia Central High School 49ers, and volunteered in many different capacities.Affectionately known by family as "Mamer," she is survived by a sister, Eloise (Larry) Cheatham of Columbia; brothers, William "Billy" Harlan and James "Pete" (Sue) Harlan of Columbia; nieces and nephews, James "Buddy" (Marilyn) Harlan, Pam (Don) Thurman, Patricia (Gary) Holt, Della (Gerald) Matlock, Gregg (Amy) Dabney, Lynn Dabney, Ken (Mary Beth) Harlan, Carole (Martin) Smith, and Harlan Dabney, fourteen great nieces and great nephews and several great great nieces and great great nephews, cousins and very dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents James "Jim" Harlan and Ducie Mayfield Harlan. Serving as pallbearers are nephews and great-nephews: Gregg Dabney, Harlan Dabney, Martin Smith, James "Buddy" Harlan, Ken Harlan, James Harlan, Alan Romine, Stephen Holt, Kyle Thurman and Hunter Harlan. Honorary pallbearers will be Members of Ayers-Whitney Fellowship Class, Members of Maury Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary, Members of Thursday Club, Members of "Sew and Sews", and Members of the Dorothy Jackson Circle.