Obit: Ona L. Harris

By The Home News

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 | midnight

Ona L. Harris, 83, a Henderson resident for 56 years, died Oct. 3, under the care of her daughter Sonya.

She was born April 25, 1926, in Fargo, Okla., the ninth of 11 chidren. She was a retired restaurant hostess.

She moved to Henderson in 1953 with her husband, Bill Merrell. She was a hostess at the Eldorado Club for 35 years and had worked there when it was called the Wheel. She was an active member of the Democratic Party, where she worked alongside former Gov. Mike O’Callaghan, and member of the Eagles, Toastmistress Club and American Business Women’s Association. She attended the Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by children Sonya G. Smith and husband Leonard of Henderson, Kathy Young and husband Danny of Phoenix, Jeannette Wenzinger and husband Jay of Stephen City, Va., and Damon Harris and wife Barbara of Panaca; sister Faye Oliver of Woodward, Okla., and brother John Thompson and wife Jeane of Cape Coral, Fla.; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death in 1988 by her husband, Paul Damon Harris, eight sisters and one brother.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 13 at Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson. Interment will follow at Palm Memorial Park at the same address.

Palm Mortuary handled the arrangements.