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Sarah Vandervoort Harris was born August 2, 1937, in Carrizo Springs, Texas, to Charles (Charlie) Wesley Vandervoort and Mary Ethel (Sue) Vandervoort. Her grandfather, Freegift (F) Vandervoort, came to Carrizo Springs to help establish the Dimmit county government and served as the first County Judge. The family helped found the First Baptist Church and remained involved with its mission and activities throughout their lives. As a young girl in Carrizo, Sarah enjoyed country life. Sarah’s preferred mode of transport to go to the 5 cent cinema, to take her horse to town, park it at the friends grazing area, and then ride home. She and her childhood friend Nan Carpenter frequently caused parental anxiety by playing « Lone Ranger », climbing onto the roof of the barn, sliding down the shingled roof onto the back of the horse, occassionally arriving on the horse. She played the clarinet in the high school band, was the drum major, and a homecoming queen. Though Sarah’s childhood was mostly idyllic, there was tragedy. The family home, built in the 1870’s was being renovated and burned to the ground while the family was at church. Sarah was 12 at the time. Being the late 1940’s after the war, money was tight. The family lived above a store on main street for a year, while the church, family, and extended community help them rebuild. Sarah kept the Carrizo spirit of a close community and caring for neighbors and family with her throughout her life. Sarah studied for two years at Sul Ross in Alpine, and completed her teaching degree at Southwest Texas State in San Marcos. After graduation she taught primary school in Refugio, Mathis, and in San Antonio at Fort Sam Houston. On August 3, 1963, she married Clelland (Mack) Harris, also from a Carrizo family, and started a family in San Antonio, having a son Craig and daughter Laura. Being a teacher, Sarah was always advocating for her children to have the best education possible, moving her children to the Redeemer Lutheran School to take advantage of it’s more rigorous education. Mack’s career in retail with Sears and later Dillard’s took the family to other cities and states as the children grew up. The family lived in Sherman, Texas ; Midland, Texas ; Oklahoma City, OK ; Tulsa, OK ; and Dallas before coming back to San Antonio. Sarah always said that she considered herself fortunate to get to live in different places and climates, though she professed that in the end, she was not that impressed with snow. Wherever the family moved, Sarah saw to it that they participated in the Baptist Church and extended community. Sarah continued teaching in Midland, and in Oklahoma, went back to school at the age of 46 to obtain her state certification and continued to teach in Oklahoma. While in Tulsa, Sarah decided to « try something different » and began to work with Mack at Dillard’s running a bridal registry. She liked the work so much that she continued in Dallas and in San Antonio, up until her retirement. After retirement, Sarah and Mack travelled more, visiting Hong Kong for a family Christmas vacation, and visiting their son in France. Sarah and Mack were pleased as punch to be grandparents later in life and enjoyed spending time with their grandsons Ty and Clay. After Mack passed away in 2022, Sarah moved to live at Brookdale-Kingsley in San Antonio, which she always referred to as « her other house, her other family ». Sarah thrived with so many opportunities to socialize and made new friends. She is survived by her daughter Laura and husband Trae Stubblefield, grandsons Ty and Clay ; her son Craig Harris and partner Deimantas Satas ; her sister-in-law Patricia Vandervoort and nieces Jessica, Alegra, Frances, and Annie ; cousins John Ewing, Susan Wolfe, Jeanelle Coleman, and Elizabeth Dominy ; and childhood friends Nan Carpenter and Kay Teal. Visitation will be from 5 :00 P.M. to 7 :00 P.M. on Friday, August 2, 2024 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive. The Service will begin at 2:00 P.M. at Chambers Chapel located at the rear of Mission Burial Park North, 10900 IH 10 West. Interment will follow at the Cemetery.

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Sarah Vandervoort Harris

August 2, 1937 - July 28, 2024