Dora M Harritt

Dora Mae Harritt was born January 11,1932 in Saratoga, Arkansas. She passed away at 88 years old on May 11, 2020 in Seguin, Texas. She was a classic grandmother. Petite with a curly perm and her dress pumps on, she loved bringing her restless grandchildren to church on Sunday for the thinly veiled intention of showing off. Once there, we’d be allowed to color with the most amazing tiny pencils while she belted out hymns and Grandpa made silly faces at us. Devoted, she was, to both God and her family. With a patient hand and a kind acceptance, she helped us grandchildren grow and flourish. There also may have been some spoiling. Dora Mae Harritt was generous and a shopper - a lethal combination. I’m fairly certain she kept JCPenney and Mervyn’s afloat buying floral prints, tutus and the occasional leopard print mini skirt for decades with a shout of “Wee doggies!” when she’d found a particular treasure. Grandpa would chauffeur for the day since Grandma never learned to drive, and we made the rounds, stopping for Chinese food (Grandma’s favorite) or CiCi’s Pizza (ours) when we wore out. No matter where we went though, Grandma WAS going home with leftovers, whether that be in a styrofoam container or wrapped in napkins in her purse, forever a child born of the Great Depression. Then, we’d go back to Grandma’s house for the night. I can still close my eyes and see their home, rich with Asian decor from their time spent abroad with foil-wrapped burners and an anachronistic percolator on the stovetop. I can smell the V05 in her hair and hear my parents sneaking out to 7-11 for coffee before the household awoke since the percolator’s brew was so weak. As we grew up, Grandma also allowed us glimpses of a wild streak in her younger years. Flirty photos of her and Grandpa with a pack of cigarettes rolled under his sleeve helped fill in the gaps of the times to which we weren’t privy. You could see it though occasionally in the mischievous glint in her eyes when she’d take the daisy and denim hat from her granddaughter’s head and pose sassily with her hand on her hip. We’ll forever miss your warm embrace, gentle presence, and quiet giggles. Luckily, for us we have a lifetime of memories to help fill that void in our hearts and the knowledge that you are now with the Lord, our savior. For “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” - John 3:15. Rest in peace, Grandma, and in our eternal love.


Dora is preceded in death by her husband, George Patrick Harritt and her son, John Leonard Harritt. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Lynn Pfiester; son-in-law, Jeffrey Pfiester; granddaughters, Sabrina Hardy and Mandy Urlik; and great grandchildren, Auden, Caiden, Braxten, Colton, Jillian, and Gracelyn. Private services held May 14, 2020 due to current precautions in place. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:


Northside Church of Christ
19818 U.S. 281, North Dr, San Antonio, TX 78258