Zora Iola (Harwood) Barry was born on February 23, 1926, to George and Zilvia (Walthall) Harwood on a cold and stormy night at her home in Elm Springs, her twin sister, Zella, was born and then to her mother’s surprise, 20 minutes later, Zora was born.
She grew up on a family farm in Elm Springs where she attended grade school and like all farm kids, her days were filled with going to school and chores. On Sundays, the family attended church in Elm Springs and then enjoyed numerous Sunday afternoons at the Belle Fourche River fishing which was one of her passions.
In the summertime her parents sent her and her siblings to Bible School. One afternoon after a good study on salvation, she was on her way down the hill to get a pail of water she thought, I must repent of my sins and ask the Lord Jesus to come into my heart so right there, halfway to the well, she stopped and prayed the salvation prayer. Zora said, “How good to know the Lord and what He can do if we will just let Jesus have control.”
Zora attended high school in Elm Springs and graduated second in her class. After graduation, she attended Cadet Nursing Training.
After her schooling, Zora taught at the Hope School, and Pleasant Valley School, and then worked in Sturgis at a café on Main Street.
After many requests from Clyde Barry, Zora agreed to a date. (Her parents didn’t really want her to date one of those wild Barry boys!) During their short courtship, Clyde (also a twin) would fly from Hay Draw to Sturgis in his Piper PA-11 Cub Special for a date with Zora. They married on July 11, 1952, and then lived on the ranch at Hay Draw where they raised their children: Iola, Robert “Bob”, Jeanette “Jean”, and Albert. Zora always raised a very large garden and produced and canned much of her family’s food. She also loved to fish, sew, knit, crochet, making and decorating cakes for special occasions, and did we mention fishing! All of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have something that Zora knitted or crocheted. Zora loved to go to her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s sporting events. She could be found setting on a hard bleacher videoing their games, wrestling matches, track meets, etc. She even attended a football and volleyball game this fall!
Zora was an active member of the Union Center Community Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and always made sure that her children attended church, church gatherings, and any other church activities. She was also active in the ABC Club, Missions Circle, and Sewing Circle.
After Clyde passed away, Zora remained on the family ranch until she moved to an apartment in Rapid City, Foothills in Sturgis, and Good Samaritan’s in New Underwood where on December 30, 2023, at the age of 97, she left this earth to spend eternity with her Heavenly Father.
She is survived by her children: Iola Houchin, Rapid City, SD, Robert “Bob” (Yvonne) Barry, Hay Draw, SD, Jeanette “Jean” (Steve) Morris, Pierre, SD, and Albert (Jeri) Barry of Rapid City, SD; nine grandchildren: Amy (Josh) Morrison, Stacy (Charlie) Hunt, Kyle (Kassi) Barry, Troy (Amanda) Barry, Kerri (Brad) Richards, Brian (Brittney) Barry, Carl Morris, Kevin Barry, and James (Kimberlin) Morris; nineteen great-grandchildren; four step grandchildren: John (Melanie) Cammack, Valorie (Dustin) Seaman, Amanda (Chad) Westendorf, Calvin (Kristi) Cammack; eleven step great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Donna Cammack, who called Zora every evening for many years which meant a lot to Zora and her family.
Zora was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Clyde, siblings, Alvin, Virgil, Zella, Irma, George, and Wilma, daughter-in-law, Joan Barry, and infant grandson.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, SD.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Union Center Baptist Church in Union Center, SD. Interment will follow at Boneita Springs cemetery, Enning, SD.
Memorial has been established to Union Center Community Baptist Church, and Boneita Springs Cemetery.
