Obituary

Memorial services and a Celebration of Life for Doris Spann Harvis, 90, of Plainview will be from 1-2:30 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2010, in the parlor of First Baptist Church with Dr. Travis Hart officiating. Interment will be at 11a.m. Monday in Plainview Memorial Park under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home. Mrs. Harvis died Sunday, April 11, 2010, at her home after a short illness. She was born April 27, 1919, in Izzard County, Ark., to Clyde R. Spann and Edna Freeman Spann. She moved to Plainview with her family as a small child. Her father was the owner of the C.R. Spann Valley Stock Farm in Edmonson. Doris graduated from Plainview High School in 1936. She received a bachelor's degree in home economics from Texas Technological Colleges in 1939. From 1940 to 1942 she worked as a home sciences agent for the Works Progress Agency in Muleshoe. Doris served from 1942-45 as a recruiter for the Women's Army Corps. After completing officer candidate training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, she also sold war bonds, working with Eleanor Roosevelt, Gene Autry and Oveta Culp Hobby, the Texas woman commanding officer of the WAC program. Her other postings included Phoenix, Ariz., and Washington State. She married Herman J. Harvis, a fellow veteran, on May 25, 1945, in San Fernando, Calif. They were partners for 58 years until his death in 2004. She returned to Plainview in 1951 with her husband and twin daughters where Dr. Harvis had his medical practice and clinic for 36 years. Doris was a member of First Baptist Church in Plainview since childhood and loved going to church with her mother and father as well as her husband and daughters. She was a lifelong Democrat and was active and interested in politics for many years. She was a member of the Junior League and always on hand to help with her daughters' activities in church, school choirs and musicals. Doris took great joy in her lovely neighbors, home and yard. She was very proud of her grandson, nieces, nephews and great-nieces, and their families. Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law, Daphne H. Manz of Plainview and Deborah and Ray Pursley of Duncanville; one grandson, Matthew Pursley of Dallas; one nephew, Gary Sorrenson of Plainview; two nieces and their husbands, Judy and Jack Hill of Tulia and Polly and Ken Jacobs of Madison, Miss.; and two great-nieces, Wendy Hill and Cindy Preston, both of Tulia. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her husband, Herman J. Harvis; one brother, R. Gayle Spann; one sister, Fern Sorrenson; and one nephew, Mike Spann. "Granny D." was a wonderful storyteller and remained joyful and gracious for all of her long and happy life. She will be greatly missed. The family wishes to thank our wonderful friends and caregivers. Memorial donations in her name may be sent to Area Community Hospice and Area Home Care of Plainview. Online condolences: www.MyPlainview.com