Luanne Harris Widener

Luanne Harris Widener passed away peacefully Oct. 15, 2026 in Nashville, with her beloved daughter, Peri, at her side. She was preceded in death by Wayne Widener, her husband of 60 years; her parents, Juanita and Wayland B Harris; and her brother, Jimmie Lee Harris. Luanne is survived by her daughter, Peri Widener; sisters-in-law June Harris (Jimmie Lee), Billie LaTourette (Ken) and Patsy Rader (Wayne); and granddog, Lexi.

Luanne was born in Oklahoma, moving to Wichita as a teenager when her father began a new job in the aerospace industry. She was an honor roll graduate of Wichita East High School and of the Wichita Business College. Following graduation, she began an accomplished career as executive assistant for several renowned leaders, including the nationally acclaimed A.E. Howse (mayor of Wichita in the 1950s), and Fred Berry, Berry Tractor CEO.

Meanwhile, she found time for the Miss Lux competition and was chosen as a finalist.

Luanne was a bright, beautiful, talented and hardworking woman who was ahead of her time. She loved a good meal, was an avid reader, and adored her family and friends. She embraced the adventure of travel and the lessons learned on every trip. And she always enjoyed a shopping outing — and, especially, a good hair day.

Her kind nature meant that she was the first in line to help others, nurtured people of all ages, and took in many stray pets over the years. She was a strong advocate for women and equal rights for all. Her natural goodwill for others benefited many charities, large and small over her long life, whether volunteering at Wichita’s Wesley Hospital or as a Girl Scout leader. Following the death of her husband in 2013, she established the Wayne Widener Fund for the study of neurodegenerative diseases at HudsonAlpha Biotech in Huntsville, Ala. And most recently, she was the underwriter for the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee Teen Leadership Council.

Until very recently, she was living independently, walking several miles a day, enjoying excursions to new restaurants, shopping trips, and keeping up to date on current affairs. She had a vibrant personality and lived a long, active and fascinating life. She made our world interesting, lively and bright.

We will remember all that she was, all that she did for others, and her overall joie de vivre. We will miss her forever, keeping her in our hearts always.

Luanne will be at rest, beside Wayne, at Kent Forest Lawn in Panama City, Florida, where the family has had a second home for many years.

Memorials may be made in her honor to the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee.