Gloria “Kay” Harris of Fayetteville, AR, previously of Berryville, AR went to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov 22, 2024. She was born in Nashville, TN on July 16, 1941 to Jesse V. and Christine Vandiver. Kay was married to Jack Gentry Harris in 1959 in Nashville and moved to Berryville, AR shortly thereafter. Kay is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Harris, parents, Jesse and Christine Vandiver and brother, Ray Vandiver.
Kay was member of the First Christian Church in Fayetteville where she was very active in the Cooperative Emergency Outreach (CEO) and University of Arkansas Ministries as a board member. She enjoyed volunteering at Children’s Hospital, VA Hospital, Circle of Life Hospice, and 7 Hills Homeless Shelter. Additionally, she was a long-time member of the Arkansas Homemakers Extension club and led the club for several years.
Kay was a wonderful wife and mother along with a full career at Alltel telephone. She loved cooking and baking, which was legendary to those that graced her table. She was an accomplished decorator, florist, and textile maker and judged these arts at many regional fairs. She enjoyed decorating for all holidays and making tablescapes at home and at the many church & community events. She and Jack traveled extensively in their motorhome exploring all 50 states with the RV club. One of their favorite spots was Brownsville, TX to escape the winter weather. Outside the US, she visited Germany, Switzerland and France with Mark & Donna.
Kay is survived by her son and daughter in law, Mark D. and Donna Gay Harris of Asheville, NC and her loving companion, Bruce Campbell of Berryville, AR. Along with a host of family and friends that will feel her loss in their lives.
The service will be held at the First Christian Church in Fayetteville on Monday, December 2nd, 2024 with visitation at 10:00am with services to follow at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Springdale.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
Kay was a volunteer with me at cooperative emergency Outreach! She was so valued and we will miss her humor ,empathy and care for all our clients! She made a difference in all the lives she touched!’Sandra Womack
Ms. Kay will be deeply missed around the halls of Arkansas Childrens Northwest. We are grateful for her almost 300 hours of service over the last 4 years to our patients and families. She served faithfully in our surgery waiting room and was a blessing to all who knew her. Our deepest condolences to her family who we know she loved dearly.
I always enjoyed my time volunteering around Kay. Patients and families in the surgery center were always her first priority. We will miss you and rest in peace my friend.
I will truly miss Kay. It makes me smile thinking about how she would signal me over to the surgery waiting room desk to take a moment and talk with her. She was so excited to tell me all the things she was planning for her garden party – especially the part about getting everyone to choose one of her hats! She was basically our own Ina Garten haha. I hope you rest in peace and in style with your most favorite hat, Kay!