Garnett Harms

Garnett Nadine Harms, longtime Perry resident and educator passed away Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Green Valley Care Center in Perry, OK. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Perry.
Garnett was born June 24, 1927 to Orval M. and Opal Viola (Ham) McNally in Waynoka, OK. She grew up just east of Waynoka and attended Waynoka Public Schools where she graduated high school in 1945. Right after graduation she went to Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater, OK, and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics in 1949. Little did she know that this great achievement would be the foundation of a lifelong teaching career that would impact several generations of Perry residents.
Her first job out of college was a Home Demonstration agent for Noble County. While working for Noble County she met the love of her life, Earl Harms, Jr., better known as "Jigs". They were married on January 7, 1951 at the Church of Christ in Waynoka, OK.
After Garnett and Jigs started their little family, she stayed home and worked as a homemaker, taking care of her family and raising her children. She was a master seamstress, and could sew anything. She earned extra money by making Cheerleading uniforms and various costumes for the school and clothing for the general public.
Then, in 1967, after all her children were old enough to start school, Garnett took a Home Economics job at Perry Schools. Because of her interest and love for teaching, she and superintendent Anderson worked together to create a program for special needs children that soon developed into the first "Life Skills" class at Perry Schools. This class would equip students with basic skills needed to function independently in society. Due to her recognized virtue of patience, it would only be fitting that Mrs. Harms teach this class. In 1969, Garnett returned to OSU to continue her education and earn a Masters Degree in Special Education. She remained a Special Education teacher at Perry Schools until her retirement in 1986. She continued to substitute teach at least three days a week until she turned 80 in 2007.
Some of her other talents and hobbies include painting, doll making, and making her famous Oatmeal Bread. It has come to be a favorite of her family and many other people of Perry who were lucky enough to have tasted it.
She was a member of the church of Christ in Perry for over 60 years. She was involved in many church activities including Vacation Bible School, children and ladies Bible class teacher, singing at weddings and funerals, and much more.
Survivors include two daughters, Donis Krohmer and husband Larry of Katy, TX, and Marilyn Russell and husband Larry also of Katy, TX; one son, Joe Harms of Perry, OK; six grandchildren, Brad Russell and wife Rachel of Nashville, TN, Traci Russell of Nashville, TN, Brett Russell of Katy, TX, Gabe Krohmer of Katy, TX, Lacey Navarro and husband Lucas of Meno, OK, and Alana Schweer and husband Dustin of Perry, OK; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Stanley McNally and wife Jeanine of Salina, KS; sister-in-law, Dorothy McNally of McPherson, KS; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl "Jigs" Harms, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Dana Harms; one brother, Aubrey McNally; and her parents, Orval and Opal McNally