Wanda L. Harris

Wanda Lee Tyler Harris, 95, of Springfield MO, passed away January 25, 2026. She was born on July 30, 1930 to the late Ercell and Ora Tyler in Arkansas. The oldest of five children, she grew up on a farm in Northeast Arkansas. Wanda was united in marriage to the late Gilbert Harris July 12, 1945, and took up her role as a homemaker. Wanda was extremely good at her role as homemaker and could always be found cleaning and cooking for her eight children and later her extended family. Her mother, Ora, was known to say, "hide the broom, Wanda's coming!" Wanda and Gilbert raised their eight children in Michigan and later moved back to Arkansas after Gilbert retired from General Motors. When she wasn't cooking and cleaning, you could find her visiting with friends and family, reading the Bible, a good book, or with her plants and flowers. She was a little stubborn and fiercely independent, which she demonstrated by living independently, with a little help, for the last 14 years of her life. She loved her family unconditionally and will be missed by all her loved ones. Wanda obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ as a young lady and was a faithful member of the Church of Christ the rest of her life.

Preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Gilbert Harris; five sons, Gary, Randall (Jim), Rick, Jerry, Brian, and infant daughter, Joyce; three daughters in-law, Jean, Betsy, and Peggy; two brothers, Jay and Charles, and one sister, Bonnie; and many brothers in-law and sisters in-law.

She is survived by one son, Larry of Maynard, AR and two daughters, Gwen (Gary) Gilbert of Waterford, MI and Janette (Kerry) Willis of Republic, MO; 15 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; one sister Fran Edwards of Reyno, Arkansas; two brothers in-law, Ed Malkowski of Scottville, Michigan and Floyd (Betty) Harris of Springfield, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews. Cremation has been entrusted to Gorman-Sharpf Funeral Home, Springfield, Missouri. Memorial service will be held in Pocahontas, Arkansas this spring. Her burial will follow at the Harris Cemetery in Maynard, Arkansas.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Cox Medical Center South for their wonderful care of Wanda during her final days. The family would also like to thank special friends Mildred Ross and Shirley Bloss.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Harris Cemetery Fund care of Farmers and Merchants Bank, Pocahontas AR 72455 or Children's Miracle Network P.O. Box 8812 Springfield MO 65801-8812.