Ruth Hart Harris

Ruth Hart Harris of Wilson departed this earthly life on Tuesday, November7,2017 at her home
She was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Feb. 14, 1935, and reared in Wilson County, NC

She was the only child of the late Rev. Walter C. Hart and Sophia Shelton Hart. 
She attended school in Wilson, and she was a proud member of the 1952 graduating class of C.H. Darden High. She then attended Hampton University, graduating with a degree in elementary education. In 1958, she married Benjamin Amos Harris Jr., who preceded her in death in 1981.
Ruthie loved children and was indeed an educational buff. She was an outstanding educator for many years in Wilson County public schools. She retired from Wells Elementary School. Ruthie was extremely creative and she enjoyed sharing her passion for artwork and crafts. Her greatest joy was decorating for Christmas and giving away hand-crafted gifts to students, family and friends. 
Ruth (affectionately known as Ruthie) was a lifelong member of Calvary Presbyterian Church (USA) and served in many leadership roles including as an elder on the session. She chaired various committees and led numerous special events like Black History Month programs, Vacation Bible School and the Hanging of the Greens. She was a devoted member and was very close to many in the congregation. Her active service in the church was marked by her work with youth, especially early on when she organized a Girl Scouts troop at Calvary. In most recent years, as part of the evangelism committee, she helped to create the tender loving care (TLC) ministry, which was near and dear to her heart. Her involvement with and tireless commitment to TLC brought joy to senior citizens from all across Wilson for several years.
Ruthie had a gentle, kind-hearted, but tough-as-nails spirit. She openly and frequently shared her gift for giving and doing for others. She was a member of concerned parents of Wilson, Inc., a non-profit organization that founded and funded Kiddie Kollege of Knowledge in the late 1960s-early 70s to provide quality private Kindergarten education for African American children in Wilson. Ruthie was also instrumental in establishing the Darden Alumni Association, and for as long as her health allowed, served as a board member of the Arts Council of Wilson, the Freeman Roundhouse and Dee’s House, Inc. She was also a beloved member of the Wilson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and was involved in many community service projects through her sorority.
Ruthie loved to travel and visit her children and she especially loved to attend her grandchildren’s musical concerts, sporting events and academic endeavors. She absolutely adored her grandchildren.
Ruthie leaves cherished memories to her four children, Benjamin A. Harris III and Walter C. Harris of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Tonya Harris Jackson (Jamie) of Lexington, Kentucky and Keith M. Harris of Los Angeles; five grandchildren, Mychal Sibert of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Erin Jackson of Lexington, Kentucky, Logan Jackson of Oxford, England, Cameron Jackson of Las Vegas and Blake Bone of Lexington, Kentucky; two special cousins, Deloris Henry and Sandra Owens, both from Atlanta; and a host of other relatives and friends, including special friends, Hattie Margaret Ellis, Doris Heath, Edith “Van” Reid, Marjorie Woolfork and her beloved, Linda Roundtree.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Nov. 10, 2017 at Calvary Presbyterian Church (USA) in Wilson. The family will receive visitors at the church at 10 a.m.  
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dee’s House Inc., Wilson or to the Building Fund for Calvary Presbyterian Church (USA), Wilson. 
Arrangements are by Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Rocky Mount.

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