Barbara Harris

Mrs. Barbara Leigh Hatcher Harris, 77, of Rimmer Rd., Statesville, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Born June 24, 1933 in Statesville, she was the daughter of the late Buford T. Hatcher and Katie Murdock Hatcher. She was a graduate of Harmony High School, Mitchell College and received her Master's Degree in Education from UNC-Charlotte. She also did additional studies at Appalachian University. In her earlier days she was a waitress and also a veterinarian assistant with Dr. Lynch. She taught at Davidson Community College for two years and was a special education teacher for exceptional children for the Statesville City Schools and later for the Iredell-Statesville School System for 30 years. She later worked for the Chester Senior High School, Chester, SC for 10 years before retiring in 2008. She received numerous teaching awards and was dearly loved by her students. She was especially fond of her special bingo group. Barbara enjoyed reading, cooking, politics, bingo and sports. She was a member of Fairview Baptist Church and was married to Robert Paul Harris, who died in 1997. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Gary Wayne Hatcher and Jimmy Hatcher. Surviving are two sons, Kenny Harris and wife, Jody, Kelly Harris and wife, Janet, one sister, Ann Hatcher Mason, all of Statesville, one brother, Joe Thomas Hatcher of Texas, one grandson, Ryan Harris, five granddaughters, Suzanne Warren (Ross), Erin Ketchie, Ashley Murdock Price, Whitney Murdock and Rosemary Harris. Six great grandchildren and three nephews, Chad Mason, Bryan Mason and wife, Melissa and Joey Hatcher also survive. A celebration of life service will be conducted 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Cowles Bristol, III officiating. The family will visit with friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Iredell County Special Olympics, St. Jude's Hospital or to the Lonely Children's Fund. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Harris.