Evelyn Maxine Harris
1936-2021
Evelyn Maxine Harris passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family on September 2, 2021 in Edmond, OK after a brief battle with Lymphoma.
She was born on May 29, 1936, in Arcadia, OK to Raymond and Violet Anderson. She grew up in Edmond and graduated from Edmond High School in 1954 with honors from the Oklahoma High School Honor Society and the National Honor Society.
She attended Central State College from 1954 to 1956 and from 1958 to 1960. Evelyn married Robert D. Harris on August 24, 1956, and they moved briefly to Dallas where Robert earned his degree in Mortuary Science. She graduated from Central State College (CSC) in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in both Home Economics and Secretarial Science. She was a member of the Shakespeare Club, Home Economics Club, Square Dance Club, and the Wesley Foundation. She was selected for Alpha Chi, Secretary of Merit Award, the Business Award Honor for both Home Economics and Secretarial Science, and the Dean's and President's Honor Roll. She was the freshman representative for the Student Senate in 1954.
After completing her degree, Evelyn worked for the Alumni Office at CSC from 1960 to 1961 and for the Dean of the College from 1961 to 1965. Evelyn contributed to her community by joining several clubs and community groups. She was a founding member of the Edmond branch of the Modern Home Extension Club and remained an active member for over 50 years. Besides learning the latest home and gardening techniques, the club was focused on providing mobile meals for seniors, sewing projects for foster children, and creating care packages for soldiers. She was also a member of The Sewing Club, Epsilon Sigma Alpha International and the Good Intentions Club.
Evelyn and Robert started their family in 1965. Over the next five years, they were blessed with four children. She was an avid fan, cheerleader, and supporter of both her children's and grandchildren's activities including band, soccer, dance, cheerleading and volleyball. She always enjoyed having her nieces, nephews, and children's friends over. She had the best snacks and activities for them. She continued to send care packages to her children and grandchildren after they graduated and moved away.
Evelyn and Robert always enjoyed hosting family reunions, card parties, domino parties, hayrides, and cookouts. Evelyn was always a gracious host. She was very well known for her chili, spaghetti sauce, cowboy cookies, chocolate sheet cake, and homemade ice cream. Evelyn loved gardening in her flower beds, line dancing at the senior center and keeping active with Zumba Gold and Silver Sneakers at the YMCA. She also enjoyed traveling, whether it was road tripping through Mexico with friends, taking the RV to National Parks with all the kids, just Robert and her taking the backroads to find little known spots, train rides in Alaska, boat rides to the Great Barrier Reef, or traveling to see her kids and grandkids in other states.
She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was kind and generous to everyone she met and was always thinking of others.
She is survived by her children: son Brad Harris & partner Patrick Tandy of Baton Rouge, LA; daughter Brenda Spence & husband David of Edmond, OK; daughter Brandee Harris & husband Mike Lobsinger of Sand Springs, OK; daughter Brooke Harris of Owasso, OK; four grandchildren: Cody Spence, Jordan Spence, Katie Harris & Brittney Mize; and sister Linda Piatt of Naples, FL. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert D. Harris, sister Mary Lou Roberts, brothers Raymond Anderson & Howard Anderson, and parents Raymond and Violet Anderson.
Celebration of Life will be at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 10:00 AM with a graveside at Gracelawn Cemetery following. Services will be officiated by Evelyn's niece DeAnna Roberts. In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider donations to the Cancer Research Institute, Integris Hospice, or the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Integris Hospice – Stacey, Janna, Judy and Kim for their care and support.
Visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m., Monday, September 6, 2021 at Matthews Funeral Home.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on 'Videos', then 'Live Streams'.