Harriett Conner, 86, passed away August 4, 2025, in Perryton.
Harriett’s guest register book will be available for signing on Thursday August 7, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Perryton. Private family burial will be held earlier that day followed by memorial services at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 8, at First Christian Church in Perryton, with Pastor Dan Anderson officiating. Funeral arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, Inc. of Perryton Harriett was born January 12, 1939, in Miami, Texas to Ralph and Ivy Hale. At 3 months old, they moved to the Freeman place on Wolf Creek. Ralph drove his cattle from Miami to Wolf Creek where they lived until Harriett was 6 years old. After living at Wolf Creek, Harriett and family moved 31 miles south of Canadian to Gem City area for 2 years. Harriett and her brother Henry attended a county school called Prairie Dale. At the age of 8, her father purchased 2 sections of land 26 miles southeast of Perryton at Notla, where Harriett lived until graduating from Perryton High School. Harriett was popular in high school as she was crowned Miss PHS, Football Queen and a cheerleader.
Harriett graduated from Perryton High School in May of 1956 and married Jerry Conner in June of 1956. In the fall of that year, Harriett and Jerry attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She graduated from TCU in June 1959, completing her degree in just 3 years. Harriett taught third grade at Ridgley Elementary in Fort Worth from 1959-1960 and also Harriett taught third grade in Perryton in 1960 and 1961. Harriett stopped teaching for a period to raise her children. In 1961, Jeff was born, 1963Chriswasborn,and1966 Amy was born. Harriett also taught Junior High for a 3year period in the 1970’s. During this time, she was Chairman of the Wheatheart of the Nation Beauty Pageant and took the winner, Miss Cindy Saied, to the World’s Fair in Toronto, Canada. Harriett was also an officer in the Junior Federated Clubs of Texas.
In the 1980’s, Harriett and Jerry opened Wheat-heart Travel where Harriett worked until the early 90’s. Harriett started teaching again at the age of 52 at Perryton Junior High. She taught sixth and seventh grade English and Reading until she retired at age 69. She was named Teacher of the Year in early 2000’s.
She spent her retirement years sponsoring youth groups at First Christian Church, attending Perryton High school basketball games and spending time at her home in Angel Fire, New Mexico.
Harriett was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Ivy Hale, her husband Jerry Conner, her three brothers Paul, Fred and Henry Hale and her sister Betty Hale Massey.
Survivors include her sons Jeff Conner and wife Janice of Fort Worth, Chris Conner and wife Leslie Gordon of Amarillo, and a daughter Amy Pope of Lubbock. Harriett is also survived by three grandchildren Caroline Conner, Claire and her husband J.T. Gilmour, Conner Pope, two great-grandchildren Charlotte and Delilah Gilmour and many nieces and nephews.
A special heartfelt thanks to Harriett’s amazing caregiver Kali Turner, who was like a second daughter and now a permanent family member in our hearts. Thank you to all who cared for Harriett so lovingly including Dechelle Paxson, Beatriz Ortiz and Kamrie Eubanks.
Memorials may be sent to the SPG Foundation, PO Box 780571, San Antonio, TX 78278.