Betty Jean Harris, 93, of Salem, passed away on Friday, January 19.
She was born in Salem, a daughter of the late Willis C. and Sarah Wood Garst and had been a resident all of her life. She was employed as an administrative assistant with Roanoke County Public Schools for many years and was nominated as Secretary of the Year. Betty was a longtime member of Salem Baptist Church and enjoyed embroidery and sewing. She truly was “Salem born, and Salem bred.”
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. Harris, Sr.; two brothers, Willis C. “Billy” Garst, Jr. and Richard C. Garst, and by a sister, Shirley G. Maupin.
She is survived by her son, Joseph A. “Buck” Harris, Jr. and wife Alicia; a grandson, Jacob Harris; great-grandchild MacKenzie Harris; her sister, Evelyn Jones, and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, at the Richfield Chapel at Richfield Town Center in Salem. The Rev. Roy E. Kanode will officiate. An online guestbook is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
