Roberta Oswald Harris

Roberta "Bobbie" Oswald Harris died on November 28, 2017 just a week shy of her 88th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Helen Oswald, and her husband, Jack Weldon Harris. Bobbie grew up in Port Isabel, Texas. She was an only child, and had fond memories of working the soda fountain at the Lighthouse Pharmacy, owned by her parents.

In 1947, Bobbie left Port Isabel to pursue her education at the University of Texas in Austin. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and subsequently a Masters in Education. After teaching in Austin for a few years, Bobbie met the qualifications necessary to teach military personnel overseas. In 1955 she packed up and spent two very rewarding years teaching second grade both in Bremerhaven, Germany and London, England. Bobbie traveled all over Europe during those two years. In 1957, Bobbie moved back to Texas where she began her lifelong career as a second grade teacher at Deer Park Elementary. Upon her retirement in May of 1991, one student wrote, "Blessed were those that had Bobbie for a teacher."

On June 24, 1966 Bobbie married Jack Weldon Harris. They lived a happy and rewarding life, she as a teacher and he with careers in both the chemical industry and on the concert stage as a pianist. Bobbie and Jack were married for 49 years until Jack's death in 2015.

Bobbie was a devoted educator and a lifelong University of Texas Longhorn. She and her husband established the Lighthouse Drugstore of Port Isabel Endowed Scholarship in Pharmacy at UT College of Pharmacy to honor the memory of her parents. Every year Bobbie received a letter of gratitude from the recipient of the scholarship - proof that even in retirement, she enriched the lives of students.

For 54 years, Bobbie was a valued and faithful member of the Zeta Omega chapter of the Texas State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization of key women educators.

Bobbie was also a member of the Bay Area Presbyterian Church, where her visitation and funeral service will be held. The Bay Area Presbyterian Church is located at 670 East Medical Center Blvd in Webster, Texas. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 1st at 10am followed by a funeral service at 11am.

Bobbie will be greatly missed by her many nieces and nephews, and her many dear friends.