Barbara Ellen

Harris

Barbara Ellen Harris, 86, of Blanchard, went to be with her Savior on July 23, 2026. She celebrated her 87th birthday in heaven the next day. Barbara was born in Blanchard on July 24, 1939, to Chester “Chet” Burton Sewell and Marjorie Inez (Huffhines) Sewell. She was a lifelong Blanchard resident and belonged to the Class of 1957 from Blanchard High School.

Barbara married the love of her life, Allen D Harris, on January 4, 1958. They were married for 51 years before he passed away in 2009. Ma’s legacy began with her and Allen D’s 3 boys and her grandchildren she called “The Magnificent 7.” Many more “bonus kids” were added to this group as the years progressed, and she considered them all as her pride and joy. Ma had a knack for making each grandchild and great grandchild feel like they were her favorite and they all had a special nickname. Her niece, Lorie Carmack helped take care of Barbara by taking her to appointments and making it feel more like a vacation than doctor appointments. She called Lorie her “angel here on earth.” She also called her niece, Marla Williams, her “bonus daughter.” 

Barbara was saved and baptized at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church when she was just ten years old. Barbara touched countless lives, especially children as she served as a Children’s Sunday School teacher at Crossroad to Life Baptist Church for many years. She used her flannel graph stories to introduce boys and girls to Jesus Christ. She would provide rides to many of those children to church too. Barbara and her best friend Rosetta “Rosie” Brooks sang together for many years, not only at their own church at Crossroad to Life, but in many other churches throughout Blanchard and surrounding areas. She was a gifted poet and songwriter as well. She was known for saying this quote many times to everyone she knew and were some of her last words spoken, “Always follow God because He will never lead you in the wrong direction.”

Barbara wore many hats when it came to employment. She once said she worked from the age of 14 to 80 before she retired. She worked as a jeweler for many years at Best Manufacturing and a few other businesses. She worked several years at Blanchard Drug and Gift. She absolutely loved being Dr. Schoelen’s solo nurse at the Tri City Family Clinic. She called him her #4 son. Barbara served as the Blanchard City Mayor from Apr 1993 – Apr of 2005. During this time, she was nicknamed “The Water Mayor” because of her involvement in securing water for Blanchard from Oklahoma City. It was said the city would not be what it is today without her. She served two more terms in City Council and the Blanchard Municipal Improvement Authority in Jan 2012 – Feb 2013 and Feb 2017 – Mar 2019. Barbara received the life-time achievement award for her role as mayor in 2011.

Barbara was a sharp woman and she kept her mind and memory until the very end. In her own words, she “lived an incredible life.” To say her passing will cause a void in the lives of her family and community is an understatement. Barbara, you will be missed and forever loved by all who knew you.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Chet and Marjorie Sewell; her husband, Allen D Harris; siblings, Marjetta Dockery and husband Ray, Leslie McCraw and Chesley (CB) Sewell and wife Patty; and special life-long friends, Rosetta and Sedall Brooks.

She is survived by her three sons, Cary Harris #1, Tony Harris #2 and Rebecca , and Ricky Harris #3 and wife Shannon; grandkids, Amber Harris, Misty Haynes and husband Trent, Amy Harris and Scott Wise, Cara Harris and James Teague, Dustin Harris and wife Jenifer, Sarah Harris, Bobbi Harris, and John Parker; great grandkids, Collin, Seth, Dalton, Stormy, Jazmyn, Kameron and husband Dillan, Zoie, Bryson, Anna, Coda, Haili, Timber, Ryett, Colt, Brock, Braxton, Brittain, Addison, and Rylee; and great great-grandkids, Collin Shane Kirby Jr. (CJ) and one on the way; and many other loving extended family members in Oklahoma and California and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Landmark Church – Blanchard, meeting at the Blanchard Intermediate School Cafeteria, 310 N. Tyler Avenue in Blanchard. Burial will follow in the Blanchard Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.