Georgia Ann Harris February 18, 1939 - September 13, 2023

Georgia Ann Harris

Georgia Ann Wight Harris, 84, of Boise, passed away on September 13, 2023, from natural causes. She had resided at the Overland Court Senior Living Center since March of this year.

Georgia was born on February 18, 1939, to Richard and Margaret (Wymer) Wight in Caldwell, Idaho. Eight years later her only sibling, Blair Allen, joined the family, and the brother and sister were close friends throughout their lives.

When Georgia was in the first grade her family lived in Portland, Oregon, for a brief time when her father worked in the shipyards. Other than that, the family resided in Parma. Though her marriage would take her to other cities in Idaho and she would travel to many other states and countries throughout her life, nowhere could ever take the place of Parma in her heart. Her dream after her husband died was always to return to Parma and buy a little house where she could live out the rest of her days.

When Georgia was in 6th grade an obnoxious but really cute (her words) 8th-grade boy whistled at her as she walked down the hallway at school. Despite first impressions, that boy, Jerry Delray Harris, would become the love of her life. They went steady all through high school and were married on February 16, 1958, in Parma. Jerry baptized Georgia into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and they were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple one year later. Four children were born into this union.

Georgia attended secretarial school in Boise after high school graduation. She went on to work many different jobs during her lifetime, including owning and operating a laundromat and mobile home park, selling real estate, being a financial aid counselor at Boise State University, and, her favorite by far, working as a secretary at the LDS Institute of Religion at BSU. Later in life, she graduated from Clown School, bringing joy and giggles to the sick and elderly.

Georgia loved flowers but not necessarily gardening. She was an accomplished seamstress and sewed a few matching dresses for her three daughters when they were young. She also sewed Raggedy Ann dolls for her granddaughters and quilts for her 16 grandchildren when they turned eight. She spoke at several of her grandchildren’s baptisms and crocheted many afghans. She played the violin as a youth and the piano all her life. She loved spending time at the family cabin her father built 65 years ago in the Idaho mountains, and loved the Oregon Coast where she spent many happy hours with family whenever she could. She loved dogs and cats, and she loved chocolate. There was never enough chocolate.

She was a valiant member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many ward and stake callings, including as Stake Girls Camp Director, where she taught the girls how to roast turkey in a pit and build latrines. She loved being a visiting teacher and taught her family how to minister to those around her through her great example. She was always passionate about family history and served a Family History Home Service Mission.

Georgia accomplished much in her life, but out of everything she did, her family was always most important to her. She cared for her mother in her home for several years and later her brother for a period of time while he received ongoing medical treatment in Boise. Her kids and grandchildren always came first.  She attended nearly all their sports games and musical concerts when she was able, and loved planning big family get-togethers that always included good food and lots of talking and laughing.

Georgia was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, her parents, brother, infant granddaughter, and infant great-granddaughter. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Jeff (Katrina), Lauri Fredrickson (Scott), Lisa Browning (Stan), and Mary Forst (Chris), all living in the Boise Valley, as well as 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, with one more great-grandchild arriving soon. She will be greatly missed by all.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Bowman Funeral Parlor, 10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr. in Garden City.  A graveside service will be held at the Parma Cemetery on Monday, October 2, 2023, at noon, with a family luncheon to follow at the Parma LDS Church. The service will be live-streamed, with a recording available on Facebook and the Bowman Mortuary page at a later date.

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at the Overland Court Senior Living Center, especially the stellar nurses and CNAs working in the Huckleberry Hill Memory Care Unit where Georgia spent the last several months of her life. It was evident through their selfless service how much they loved her.  The family also thanks the dedicated nurses and CNAs of Keystone Hospice who guided and comforted them through the last week of her life and made sure Georgia was pain-free and comfortable. They will be forever grateful that she was able to spend her last days with such devoted, caring staff and friends.

In memory of Georgia, the family requests that you never miss an opportunity to hug those you love, forgive any wrongs that may keep you apart, and give each other chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.