Viola Ruby Harris of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Monday evening, September 29, 2008, at her residence in Blackwell at the age of 88 years.

Viola Ruby Harris was born on August 7, 1920, in Holdenville, Oklahoma, to Jesse Grant and Ruth Ellen (Dilbeck) Jackson. She grew up in various communities across Oklahoma. Following her education she made her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She married Hershell "Fred" Fredrick Harris on April 6, 1939, in Tulsa and they settled in the Colcord, Oklahoma, area. In 1945 they moved to Blackwell and she served her family as a homemaker. In 1977 they moved to Watts, Oklahoma, to make their home. Her husband preceded her in death in 1991 and in 1993 she returned to Blackwell to be near family. She was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Blackwell. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting and ceramics. She also enjoyed tending to her flower garden and reading.

She is survived by three daughters, Betty Lawson of Terre Haute, Indiana, Rita Silvers and husband Floyd of Lawrence, Kansas, and Kris Wayman and husband Steve of Blackwell, Oklahoma; three sisters, Barbara Harris of Stilwell, Oklahoma, Mabel Victory of Coweta, Oklahoma, and Estha Lee Dixon of West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma; a brother, Bill Jackson and wife Bobbie of Kinta, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Charles Lawson of Little Rock, Arkansas, Brian Silvers of Perry, Kansas, Devina Patterson and husband Ron of Topeka, Kansas, Jennifer Hamil and husband James of Groves, Texas, Jeremy Williams and wife Shelly of Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Jessica Engle and husband Cory of Blackwell, Oklahoma; two step-grandchildren, Dennis Wayman of Enid, Oklahoma, and Jes Wayman of Oologah, Oklahoma; ten great grandchildren, Cierra and Melissa Lawson of Little Rock, Arkansas, Devin and Dillon Hamil of Groves, Texas, Garrett, Kaylee and Jenna Williams of Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Caitlyn, Courtney and Makyla Engle of Blackwell, Oklahoma; and a great great granddaughter, Elli Lawson of Little Rock, Arkansas.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Millie January, Alta Pearl Jackson and Jewell Mason; four brothers, Ray, Floyd, Eddie and Ewell Jackson; and a son-in-law, Lonnie Lawson.

Services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Thursday, October 2nd in the First Free Will Baptist Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Kevin Bookout officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Lloyd Harris, Terry Victory, Bud Harris, Fred Harris, Burl Lyons and Vernon Victory.

A memorial has been established at the First Free Will Baptist Church in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home.