Donna Phyllis (West) Harris, 100, died Tuesday, January 9, 2024 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Stillwater. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Donna was born September 8, 1923 to James R and Margaret (Hadley) West in Wellston, Oklahoma. She was a 1941 graduate of Wellston High School, and later attended Central State College, now University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond where she earned her Bachelor's degree of Science in Education in 1944. Donna married Cleo W. Harris at her childhood home in Wellston on June 29, 1944. They were married for 58 years before Cleo's passing in 2002.

The couple moved to Stillwater in 1944. Donna soon began working for the Payne County Assessor and worked there until 1952. The couple welcomed their first children, twins Keith and Patricia in 1953. A third child, Donald, arrived in 1959. Donna returned to work in 1965 at Oklahoma State University College of Business Administration as the financial assistant, retiring in 1986.

A lifelong Christian, Donna was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Stillwater since 1946. She was faithful to attend her Fidelis Sunday school class and Circle group for many years until recently when her health no longer allowed it. Donna enjoyed various activities over her long life including square dancing, RV camping, sewing, knitting, and needlepoint. Donna knitted and donated hundreds of baby and children's caps to Stillwater Medical Center and Stillwater Public Schools. She loved to read and cook and was known for her zucchini cakes and banana bread.

Donna and Cleo hosted numerous Oklahoma State University international students in their home over the years and came to love them and the renters in the nearby duplexes as family. Donna moved to Golden Oaks Village in 2013 where she remained until her death. Donna and her family are grateful for the love and care she received at Golden Oaks these past 10 years.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, James and Margaret West; husband Cleo Harris; and daughter Patricia Schroeder.
She is survived by son Keith Harris and wife Gayle of Stillwater; son Don Harris and wife Pam of Edmond; son-in-law Bob Schroeder and wife Tess of Sapulpa; grandchildren Autumn Peeper and husband Bill of Stillwater; Quinton Harris and wife Courtney of Springdale, Arkansas, Caitlin Hern and husband Shawn of Yukon; Jon Schroeder and wife Shannon, of Jenks; Becca Beach and husband Jeremy of Jenks; as well as 12 great-grandchildren.

To those wishing to honor Donna's memory, the family requests memorials may be made to the Stillwater First United Methodist Church Foundation or a charity of your choice.