Freda Champion Harris

HARRIS, FREDA CHAMPION Freda Champion Harris, 93, of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away on July 5, 2013. She was the daughter of Teresa (McBride) and Arthur B. Champion, born on May 18, 1920, in Raton, New Mexico. She graduated from Raton High School in 1937. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from UNM. In 1941, she graduated from UNM and worked in the UNM Business Office for 5 years. In 1943 she married Joe D. Harris. After raising her family, she taught language arts at John Adams and Garfield Middle Schools, retiring in 1982. She was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students. When she retired, she traveled to all fifty states and over twenty countries, played in numerous bridge clubs, volunteered in various community groups, and tutored children in reading. Freda loved to have picnics in the mountains as well as support the Lady Lobos. She was an active member of Central United Methodist Church, Albuquerque Association of Retired Educators, New Mexico Association of Educational Retirees, Mortar Board Alumni, and P.E.O., Chapter X. She was a loving person with a strong faith, who enriched the lives of all those around her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Teresa and Arthur Champion; her husband, Joe D. Harris, her sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Dr. L.D. Barbour of Roswell, and her stepson, Jerry Harris. She is survived by her son, Jeff Harris and his wife, Aletha, of Houston, Texas; daughters Diane Galbraith and her husband, Bob Galbraith; and Debbie Barnett and her husband Rich Barnett. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Aletha B. Harris, Houston, Texas; Dr. Thomas J. Harris and wife, Stephanie, Waco, Texas; Tyler Barnett and wife, Alice, Odessa, Texas; Krista Barnett, Albuquerque; and three great granddaughters. She was truly an extraordinary person who will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Because Freda was committed to public education, the family requests that memorials be made to the Lena Clauve/Mortar Board Scholarship, UNM Foundation, 700 Lomas Blvd. NE, 2 Woodward Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102. A memorial service will be held on July 13, 2013 at 2:00 at Central United Methodist Church. Please visit our online guestbook for Freda at . FRENCH - University 1111 University Blvd NE 505-843-6333