Clarissa “Chris” Mears Haynes, age 83, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away on September 4, 2026.  She was born September 22, 1942, in Kansas City, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Jane Mears, and by her daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” Haynes Crain.

She is survived by her daughter, Georgeann Haynes; former spouse Fred Haynes; son-in-law, Scott Crain; and four grandchildren: Isabel Munrain (Bradley), Winston Penrod, Samuel Crain, and Winifred Penrod.

Chris graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1960 and from Baker University in 1964, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She began her teaching career as a Home Economics teacher at Washington High School from 1964 to 1968. She later worked for USD 500 as a Library Assistant at Claude Huyck Elementary. In 1982, she earned her Master’s degree in Library Science from Emporia University and went on to serve as a librarian at Schlagle High School and Coronado Middle School for the remainder of her teaching career.

Chris cherished her time at the cabins in Colorado, a place that brought her immense happiness. She found great joy in the beauty of the mountains, and often spent hours birdwatching or simply feeding the squirrels and chipmunks that visited. Above all, Chris loved gathering with family and friends, treasuring every moment shared together.

Chris was a member of Beta Phi Mu Library Honor Society, the Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel, the Wyandotte County Association of Retired School Personnel, the Wyandotte County Historical Society, and the Monday Club. She generously volunteered her time at Presbyterian Manor, the Legler Barn Museum (Lenexa Historical Society), and the Wyandotte County Museum.

Cremation has been affected and her remains will be buried with her parents. A funeral service will be held at Porter’s Funeral Home in Lenexa, Kansas on Saturday, September 12th at 10:00am. A livestream of the service may also be accessed online and found below obituary soon.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Monarch Hospice (https://donorbox.org/monarch-hospice-palliative-care-donations-1) or the Lenexa Historical Society (https://lenexahistoricalsociety.wordpress.com/donate/) in Chris’ memory.