Martha Harris

Services for Martha Dell Harris of Cleburne, Texas will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, October 7, 2024, at St. Mark United Methodist Church. She will be buried in Squaw Creek Cemetery in a private service. There is no visitation scheduled.

Martha Dell was born in Dallas, Texas on December 17, 1928, to Virgie Harris Jenkins and Homer Frederick Jenkins. She died at her home on September 29, 2024, at the age of 95.

She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and graduated from Southern Methodist University May 31, 1949, with a Bachelor Business Administration degree.

Martha was employed at Union Carbide in Texas City as a cost accountant when she met Bobby Joe Harris on a street corner. He invited her friend to a bar-b-que which she declined. Known to be shy, Martha spoke up that she would be home. They were married May 17, 1953.

Martha and Bob incorporated Bob Harris Oil Company in 1972 where she continued to work until February. In that time, she mentored and trained office personnel, as well as balancing the books. While raising her family, she maintained an office at home and worked flex hours while the children were at school and after they went to bed. She considered it a privilege to work alongside her children and granddaughters.

Having grown up during the Great Depression, Martha was fiscally conservative. Her mantra was, "It's not what you make, but what you spend."

Martha valued education and together with Bob funded six undergraduate degrees, one Masters degree, and a study abroad program. She was proud of her alma mater and participated as a Golden Mustang during SMU's 1999 commencement. Martha also enjoyed SMU football, the Dallas Cowboys and the Big Band music of the 40s.

Bob said, "Martha had the courage to live her convictions. She was brave, strong willed, disciplined and funny." Moppy loved her family above all.

Survivors include daughter, Laura Lea Kasper and husband, Milton; son, David Brian Harris and wife, Laurie; granddaughters, Aubrey Lea Farquhar and husband, Seth, Abrian Joann Bass and husband, Perry, and Kendell Lea Kasper; great-grandsons, Slade James and Sawyer Wilks Farquhar; sister-in- law, Doris Jenkins; niece, Mary Beth Peters and husband, Pete; nephews, Mark, Mike, and Mathew Jenkins. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Fred Jenkins.

Memorials may be made to: Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 1109 W Henderson Street, Cleburne, TX 76033.