Shirley Jean Harris-Blair

Shirley Jean Harris Blair, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at home in Edgewood, NM, at the age of 84 on Jan. 14, 2023. She was born July 21, 1938, in McGill, Nevada. She grew up in a very loving home with four siblings. On September 18, 1954, she married her childhood sweetheart, Ray (Mestas) Blair. In 1958, they moved their family to San Manuel, Arizona. In 1964, they built a home and moved to Mammoth, Arizona, where they lived for 36 years. Together, they raised four uniquely individual children, Ricky, Teresa, Taunja, and Lance. She was a devoted wife and mother who sacrificed daily to serve and share her love with her family. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was sealed to her husband and family for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple on September 21, 1960. She loved serving in the Relief Society and Young Women’s auxiliaries and served over 20 years in the Primary. Her favorite calling was teaching Gospel Doctrine in Sunday School. She loved to cook, read books, sew, watch movies, and spend time with her family. She loved a good party and enjoyed playing cards, games, listening and dancing to country music, especially Charlie Pride. Her love of dancing with Ray contributed to their successful 68 years of marriage. She was known for her love of fashion, especially her jewelry and shoes. She loved glitter, glitz, and glamor. She and Ray dressed to the hilt and went dancing every New Year’s Eve to bring in the New Year. We know she is dancing in heaven. She was a trooper, always by the side of Ray the Outdoorsman; camping, fishing, boating, swimming, and tubing down the Salt River Canyon. She was also part of an expedition in search of Forrest Fenn’s Treasure. The two of them loved to bowl and participated in many bowling leagues. She traveled to Europe visiting Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland, where she was the escort to her daughter Taunja in the Bern Switzerland Temple. She traveled extensively around the US and especially loved the trips she took to Hawaii with her sisters, Rea and Kaye, and dear friend Melody. Other favorite trips were to Nashville and Branson, where she enjoyed some of her country western favorites. She traveled on many road trips and cruises with her husband and family. Her family was everything to her and she loved, treasured, and cared for them fiercely. She is survived by her husband, Ray Blair; sister, LaVerl Kaye Harris; brother, Dee Harris; children, Rick Blair, Taunja Blair Osborn (Carl), Lance Blair (Dina); grandchildren, Michael Wortman (Casey), Trista Hataburda (Ryan), Tyler Wortman (Leanne), Tanner Wortman, Carl Osborn III (Jamie), Hilary Osborn, Levi Osborn (Sydney), Cliantha Blair, Krisgar Blair (Michelle), Kyton Blair, Joshua Blair (Lourdes), Miranda Blair (Gabe). She has 21 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene LaVerl and Lydia Jane Harris; sisters Judy Murray and Sara Marie Harris, and her dear daughter Teresa Lynn Blair. Jean will be laid to rest in her family cemetery in Junction, Utah, on Saturday, January 21st. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Edgewood, NM, on Saturday, January 28th, from 11:00 am -2:00 pm.