Letha Harris, 61, of Pittsburg, died at 1:56 a.m., Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg surrounded by her family. Born May 30, 1960, in Nowata, Okla. during a tornado, Letha was the daughter of Christine Irene Gaddis. In addition to her mother, Letha was preceded in death her step-father Brady Locke; by one sister, Rebecca Locke; one brother, Woody Locke; a niece, Megan Bandy; and twin grandchildren.
As a young girl, Letha moved with her family to McCune, where she grew up and attended school. Her stepfather, Brady Locke, played an integral part in her upbringing. After earning her Certified Nurse Aide certification, Letha worked as a CNA for several years at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Shawnee. She later worked for over fifteen years for Ron’s IGA in Chanute serving as manager of the Video and Courtesy Booth. She later retired to help care for her grandchildren.
To Letha, spending time with family was her priority. She also loved her cats, “Catalina and Miss Kitty” and enjoyed collecting many things, including jewelry, clothes and shoes. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cherokee.
Letha is survived by her fiancé, Damon Hayward of the home; daughters, Jennifer Hawkinson (Jeremiah) of Erie and Jessica Falkenstien of Chanute; three grandchildren, Tyler Hawkinson (Madeline), Sara Hawkinson and Jocelyn Brecheisen. She is also survived by two brothers, Norman Christmore of McCune and Lloyd Christmore of Portland, Oregon; sisters, Patricia Snow (Galen) of Cherokee and Katherine Bandy (Lloyd) of Weir along with numerous nieces and nephews and her cats, Catalina and Miss Kitty, of the home.
Funeral services for Letha Harris will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 8, at the First Baptist Church in Cherokee. Pastor Ben Scott will officiate. Burial will follow at the McCune Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, February 7.
Memorial contributions are suggested to a fund to defray expenses and these left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, PO Box 374, Parsons, Kansas 67357.