On November 16, 2024, Betty Harris Taylor passed away peacefully at home on Hilton Head Island, SC at the age of 99. Her son Jeffry and daughter-in-law Leslie were with her in her last few days. She was well-cared for and appreciated her health providers and assistants.
She was born on April 4, 1925 in Louisville, Kentucky to Don and Sallie Carter. After graduating from Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas in 1942, Betty attended Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Married to her husband George B. Harris, Jr., she lived in Ithaca until he graduated from law school, when they moved to his hometown, Wellsville, NY. George and she moved to Hilton Head Island in the mid-1980’s.
In Wellsville, in addition to rearing her five children, Betty was an avid golfer, gardener and traveler. She served on the Board of Trustees for both Alfred University and Alfred State College. She played tennis into her ’80’s and golf into her ’90’s. She enjoyed card games and dining with her faithful friends on Hilton Head, which she was able to do until very recently.
Betty was predeceased by her husbands George B. Harris, Dr. Robert Love, and Robert Taylor, as well as her daughter, Drusilla Harris. She is survived by four sons, George Harris (Mary) of Alfred, NY, Donald Harris (Joyce) of Aspen, Colorado, Christopher Harris of Boulder, Colorado and Jeffry Harris (Leslie) of Charlottesville, Virginia. She was very fond of her daughters-in-law, sharing many interests and traveling with them extensively.
Betty is also survived by five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many friends in Wellsville and on Hilton Head Island. She hosted summertime family gatherings across the United States and loved the time she was able to spend with her family, who visited her frequently in South Carolina.
Family and friends will miss her; she was an extraordinary woman.
No services are planned. There will be a gathering planned for a future date.
