Iris Morris Ragsdale

Iris Morris Ragsdale, 89, passed away on September 18, 2014 in Pampa. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 18, 2014, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, with Rev. Mark Lang and Rev. Suzie Wilkinson, officiating. The body was cremated and committal will be in the columbarium located in the church’s Chapel of the Holy Family following the service. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Iris Pearl Morris was born December 11, 1924 in Rapid City, South Dakota. She attended Valley View #7 grade school and graduated from Rapid City High School in May of 1942. She attended college in California before marrying William J. Ragsdale on August 5, 1945 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Rapid City. She met her future husband, a B-17 pilot based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1944 at her parent’s ranch, when his crew was invited through the USO to share her family’s Christmas dinner. The couple moved to Pampa in January of 1946 to make their home, having lived here ever since in the house they built in 1946 at 1709 Coffee Street. He preceded her in death on May 4, 2001. Iris was also preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Pearl Morris; and a sister, Lucretia Williams, all of Rapid City. Iris worked at the Pampa Chamber of Commerce for many years and also served as registrar at the Adobe Walls Boy Scout Council office for 17 years before retiring in 1972 after her children finished college and were married. Iris was an active member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church since moving to Pampa, serving on the Vestry, holding all offices in the Episcopal Church women, and sang in the choir for many years. She had been active in many organizations in Pampa, including serving on the board of the Pampa Community Concert Association, Inc. She was a longtime member of the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority, serving in all officer positions and served as president of District X. She was a volunteer office administrator for the Pampa Fine Arts from 1990-1996, and was presented a life membership in this organization. Iris was actively involved in the White Deer Land Museum from 1972, and served as secretary to the museum advisory board for 10 years before retiring in December of 2004. She also served many years as a volunteer at Good Samaritan Christian Services. Survivors include her two children, William J. Ragsdale, Jr., and wife Jan of Pampa, and daughter, Peggy Davis of Austin; four grandsons, Jereme Ragsdale and wife Melissa of Lubbock, Joseph Ragsdale and wife Michelle of Pampa, Jeff Davis and wife Caryn and Chris Davis and wife Krista, all of Austin; six great-granddaughters, Alexandria, Josephine and Kylee Ragsdale, all of Pampa, Aubrianna and Emilee Ragsdale of Lubbock, and Catheryn Davis of Austin. She is also survived by her brother, Fred Morris, Jr., and wife Barbara of Rapid City, South Dakota; many nieces and nephews; longtime friends, Mary Ann McCloskey of Claremont, California, and Jan Chisholm of Dallas; and special neighbors of many years, Rick and Lynette Maciel and their sons Jonathan and Jacob. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Scholarship Fund, 727 W. Browning, Pampa, Texas 79065, Good Samaritan Christian Services, 309 N. Ward, Pampa, Texas 79065, or a charity of your choice. Iris always preferred flowers for the living.