Delia Marrs Harris

DELIA MARRS HARRIS
Long-time resident of Casa Grande, Delia Marrs Harris, passed
away in Austin, Texas, at the age of 93, on June 8, 2017.

Delia was born on the family farm in Dewey County near Canton,
Oklahoma on October 3, 1923. She was the daughter of Joseph Avery
and Josephine Stewart Marrs and the youngest of their seven children. In
1936, the Marrs family sold the farm in Oklahoma, moved to Arizona,
and settled in Casa Grande where Delia enrolled in Casa Grande High
School and graduated in 1941. She then attended Murray State College,
in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, where she graduated with a degree in Business.
After college, Delia returned to Casa Grande and worked for a local real estate broker, Forest
T. Rainey, as his secretary. In 1947, Delia met and married James H. Harris (Jim) from Coolidge,
Arizona. She and Jim had three children, and made their life in Casa Grande. Delia worked for the
Arizona State Department of Economic Security for many years, and later joined Jim when he opened
his own real estate office, where they worked together until retirement.
Delia was very involved in the local community for many years and was an active member of the
Casa Grande Hospital Auxiliary, the Alpha Epsilon Sorority, and a lifetime member of Eastern Star.
She was an avid golfer and was part of the women’s golf group called "The Swingers". She was a
fabulous cook and baker. Delia loved to travel. She traveled to every state and several countries.
She spent the last two years of her life living in Austin, Texas near her daughter, Diane, and
numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Delia was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and her six siblings. She is survived by her
daughter, Brenda Holman and son-in-law, Vincent Holman of Cave Creek, AZ; son, Richard H. Harris
of Casa Grande, AZ; and daughter Diane Graham and son-in-law Keith Graham of Austin, TX. She is
also survived by her four loving grandsons: Matthew Holman, Mark Holman, Michael Graham, and
Eric Graham and by five precious great-grandchildren.
Delia and Jim were also surrogate parents to their nieces Donna Johnson Campbell, Joann Marrs
Weaver, and Betty Johnson Rowsell. They each became part of the Harris family when they lived with
Delia and Jim during their teenage years and attended high school in Casa Grande. Delia also shared
a special bond with her niece, Carole Johnson, who cared for her during the last months she lived in
her home in Casa Grande.
Delia will be forever remembered for her grace, her big heart, her selfless nature, and her radiant
smile. There should be at least one person in each of our lives who always sees the good in us, and
Delia was that person in our family. She was our matriarch. We cherished her beyond words, and all
of us are immeasurably better off because we had her in our lives.
A celebration of Delia’s life will be held at J. Warren Funeral Home, Cole & Maud, The Gardens
located at 525 N. Peart Road in Casa Grande, Arizona 85122 on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Heart to Heart Hospice, 4009 Bannister Lane Suite
100, Austin, TX 78704, or the charity of your choice.