Iva Harris

Iva Harris, 92, known to many as “G-ma” went to be with her heavenly Father on Monday, October 11, 2021. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, October 22nd, 2021 at 1:00pm at Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 21st, 5:00-7:00pm.

Iva was born September 25, 1929 in Caney, KS to Ernie Slater and Ula Munger Slater. She grew up in Caney where she eventually met the love of her life, Clay Harris. They were married March 28, 1948 in Coffeyville, KS and from that moment on, you couldn’t say one without the other. It was always “Clay and Iva”, no matter which one you were talking about. While they lived in Caney, they had two children Shirley Joan and Richard “Rick” Wayne. Iva worked as a beautician, for many years, in Caney, where she developed many lasting and loving relationships. Clay and Iva later moved to Sycamore, KS where they were active in their church. Iva enjoyed serving others both in women’s ministry and through many gatherings at their home in Sycamore, KS. Iva’s hobbies included assembling puzzles, playing card games with friends, racing people at stop lights and mostly mowing the yard. Her favorite holidays were Fourth of July, because of friends and fireworks (the louder the better) and Christmas. During the Christmas season she enjoyed fudge making and gathering with all her friends and family. In the later years of life, Clay and Iva moved to an assisted living facility in Wichita, KS where they could be closer to their son, Rick Harris. While they were at the assisted living facility, they enjoyed the fellowship with other senior residents living in their community. Iva, with her serving heart, made many friends everywhere she went. As living within the assisted community became more challenging to Iva, she later moved to Blair, OK with her daughter Shirley Drawdy. While in Blair, she again met many new friends and developed more relationships while relishing visitors from every area she had previously resided.

Iva is survived by her children: Shirley Drawdy (Buddy) of Blair, OK and Richard Harris (Florence) of Haysville, KS. Four grandchildren: Shana Jackson (Alan) of Cumming, GA; Randall Clay Terrel of Cherryvale, KS; Jennifer Maness (Paul) of Wichita, KS and Daniel Drawdy (Roxie) of Sycamore, KS. Six great-grandchildren: Ethan Terrel, Christopher Terrel, Bryce Maness, Josi Maness, Daschel Drawdy and Dharmonie Drawdy.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Clay Harris, her brothers Benny Slater and Billy Slater, and a great-granddaughter Elizabeth Shantell Terrel.