Iris Geraldine Major, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 25, 2025. Born on January 19, 1930, in Dallas, Texas, to Mazie and Benjamin Mixon, Iris was the embodiment of grace, faith, and fierce maternal devotion.

She married the love of her life, Glenn Walter Major, Sr. on May 7, 1955, at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. They were blessed with 57 beautiful years of marriage. Together, they built a loving home and an even more beautiful family, welcoming seven children in ten years-five of them born consecutively in the first five years of marriage. It became a family joke, as the grandkids would say, "Which one of these pictures are you not pregnant in?"

Family was Iris's greatest joy. She was the proud matriarch of seven children, sixteen grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Her home was always warm, welcoming, and somehow-miraculously-immaculate, even with six boys and one girl running around. A master of discipline wrapped in love, she ruled the pew with her legendary "nine-foot-long arm" pinch, a gentle reminder to behave in Mass-something none of her children or grandchildren ever forgot.

Faith was the foundation of Iris's life. She was an active and devoted member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for over 60 years. She ensured mass was a priority every week, including vacations, and passed down her strong Catholic faith to her children and grandchildren, many of whom attended Marquette, Bishop Kelley, and are still active members of the parish community. Her unwavering commitment to faith and family shaped the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She had a gift for cooking that was nothing short of divine. Sunday dinners were sacred-chicken-fried steak or enchiladas topped with eggs were family favorites that brought everyone together, filling the house with laughter, love, and the smell of home. Birthdays were special, with each person choosing their favorite meal and dessert. Her strawberry cake and legendary pies-chocolate, coconut, and banana-were always at the top of the list. More than just a cook, Iris was a teacher, lovingly passing down her culinary talents, from hand-rolled pie crusts to perfectly crafted fillings.

As her children reached college age, Iris began working in the engineering enrollment office at the University of Tulsa. Her presence there not only provided financial support (and discounted tuition) for her family but also added to her signature touch of humor and care. She famously kept soap in her desk drawer for engineering students who could use a little freshening up (including several of her sons)-a loving nudge only Iris could pull off.

She had a quiet but witty way of sharing her thoughts, rarely interfering in her children's lives but always ready with a heartfelt comment about the grandkids. Iris was a woman of strength, determination, and boundless love. She was a protector, a disciplinarian, a cheerleader, and a counselor. Every child had chores, and no one was excused from the dinner table until their plate was clean. She loved cinnamon puffs and the tradition of gathering in the kitchen, where family members would fight over who got to lick the spoon.

She and Glenn were lifelong square dancers, part of two dance clubs. Tuesday nights were for dancing, and as the children grew older, they added another group to their routine. Pictures of Iris twirling in her square-dance dresses with Glenn beaming beside her are cherished treasures.

Later in life, Iris and Glenn discovered a love for travel, especially cruises with cousins Larry and Anna. They explored the beauty of Alaska, marveled at the engineering of the Panama Canal, soaked in the warmth of Hawaii, and wandered through the landscapes of Ireland-just to name a few. She also enjoyed a magical ride in a hot air balloon at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, floating high above the desert, living her adventurous spirit to the fullest.

Family vacations were treasured times, often packed into a station wagon for cross-country treks to places like New York City or the deserts of New Mexico. These trips created lifelong memories (and car sickness for some), including time spent with extended family and sliding down the dunes at White Sands with cousins.

Iris also had a deep love for health and wellness. She worked out five days a week at St. John's Health Center until she was no longer able to drive at the age of 91. The health club even threw a party in her honor for her 90th birthday. Her commitment to fitness inspired many of her children and grandchildren to adopt her healthy lifestyle, whether through lifting weights, walking the treadmill, or becoming champions of the stair master.

She weathered many ER visits, often thanks to the adventurous spirits of her boys-falling out of trees, setting Brian on fire (accidentally), or tightrope-walking along a chain-link fence. Through it all, she remained calm, steady, and loving.

Iris is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Glenn, her brother Earl Mixon, and her dear daughter-in-law, Tricia Major, married to David.

She leaves behind her seven children: David Major of Mesquite, TX, and their children Ryan and his wife Nina and his daughter Lorilei, Jena and her husband Brandon Kidd and their children Logan and Lyla, and Alicia; Donna Major of Tulsa, OK, and her children Melissa and her husband Eric Cook and their children Adrianna, Charlotte, Deytan, Kingston, Serenity, Olivia, and Aaliyah; her son Matt Major; and daughter Crystal Major and her children Lucas, Ryenn, Cooper, and Wyatt; Richard and Susan Major of Glenpool, OK, and their children Michael, Jarrod, and Kaly; Doug Major of Denver, CO; Walt and Beth Major of Broken Arrow, OK, and their sons Austin, Nathan and his wife Bre, and Cameron Major; Chris and Kristin Major of Tulsa, OK, and their daughters Katie and her husband Greg Hockert, and Allison Major; and Brian and Reginia Major of Sand Springs, OK, and their daughters Rebeccah and Rose.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, discipline, faith, and tradition that will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Her life was a beautiful story of strength, devotion, and love-a story we are all blessed to be part of. We will miss her deeply but celebrate the incredible impact she had on each of us.

Friends can honor Iris's memory with contributions to Madonna House,

< https://madonnahouse.org/ >