Willie O'Berry Haragan

Willie O’Berry Haragan passed away peacefully on October 25, 2024, at the age of 85, after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A fiercely devoted friend, wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, she will be remembered for her proactive generosity, exceptional talent for entertaining, culinary skills, and infectious laughter. Always a ready and willing audience for a good joke or story, she brought warmth and joy to any gathering. In her final years, the disease stole so much from her, but she lived fully in the present—no anxiety about the future, no regrets about the past—which continues to hold lessons for all of us.

She was born to Willie and Dorothy O’Berry on August 2, 1939, in San Antonio, TX. After graduating from Breckenridge High School, she worked for the United States Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base, saving enough to enroll at the University of Texas, where she earned a degree in English Literature. It was there she met the love of her life, Don Haragan, and the two married on July 2, 1966, in Austin. They welcomed their first daughter, Shannon, in June 1968. After completing his PhD, Don accepted a faculty position at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where they moved in 1969. Their family grew once more with the arrival of their daughter Shelley in April 1971.

Willie’s blood ran red and black, as they say, as she dedicated herself to the Texas Tech community in various capacities over the years, both professionally and personally. She served on the board of the Texas Tech Museum Association, held an officer position in the University Women’s Club, worked as an advisor in the Health Professions Advisors Office, and worked in the Admissions and Student Affairs Office at the School of Medicine. She was also actively involved in the community, serving on the local board of the Girl Scouts, as an officer in the PTA, and as a board member for both the Southwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS). She also loved being an active member of various social clubs, including her gourmet luncheon club, bridge club, and wine tasting club.

Willie is survived by her husband, Don; daughters, Shannon Haragan of Austin and Shelley Fletcher of Richardson; son-in-law, Chance Fletcher; grandsons, Caden and Cole Fletcher; sisters, Betty Ehlers of Austin and Jane Seals of Asheville, NC; as well as nephews, nieces, and her beloved granddogs, Murphy and Maely. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mary Ann Morris, and her nephew Dennis Haygood.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Silverado Memory Care for their dedicated and loving care of Willie for many years, as well as the staff of Silverado Hospice for their compassionate support during her final years.

A celebration of Willie’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park at 6300 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78749. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to the Texas Tech Foundation, Inc. for the Haragan Family Honors College Excellence Endowment at Texas Tech University. Contributions can be made online at www.give.ttu.edu/haragan or mailed to:

Texas Tech Foundation, Inc.

Attn: Financial Services

PO Box 45025

Lubbock, TX 79409

Alternatively, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org