Katherine Madah Harris

April 23, 1917 – August 20, 2010

Katherine (Thomas) Harris was born April 23, 1917 in Brownwood, Texas to John and Mattie Thomas. She passed away August 20, 2010 in Merced at the age of 93.

Katherine graduated from Albuquerque High School and attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. She operated her own hair salon in Albuquerque before moving with her family to Fresno, California in 1940.

She met and married Earl Harris, moving to Sacramento, California where they owned and operated Harris Cleaners. After her husband’s death she moved to Merced, California to be with her sister, Lillian and brother-in-law Vernie Roberts. Katherine was an instructional classroom aide with the Merced City School District retiring in 1996.

Katherine, lovingly called Kitty, is survived by her sister, Lillian Roberts of Merced, CA; brother, James T. Thomas in Albuquerque, New Mexico; sister, Lillie Thomas of Oakland, CA; many nieces and nephews and her dog companion Toie Toie.

Preceding her in death were her parents, John and Mattie Thomas; her husband, Earl Harris; brothers, Willie and John Jr., and sisters, Helen and Dorothy.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 27, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Merced District Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.