Elizabeth Berry Harris

June 21, 2022

CHARLOTTE- Elizabeth (Lib) Berry Harris, 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.  She was born January 4, 1931 in Hickory NC, the daughter of the late Sheridan Arthur Berry and Velna Jones Berry.

Elizabeth grew up in Valdese, NC, graduating from Drexel High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Max A. Harris Sr., who passed away in 2008.  She was recognized as the most athletic female in her senior class, excelling at both basketball and softball.  After attending Lenoir-Rhyne University, Elizabeth briefly taught grade school before starting a family.

A loving and devoted mother, she supported her children in all of their activities, whether at swim meets, football, basketball or baseball games.  Her ever-present attendance and vocal enthusiasm were unmatched. She loved trips to the beach and lake, card games with her friends and playing golf at Carmel Country Club.  At age 35, she took up the game of golf and her athletic abilities and strong determination empowered her to quickly become a very good player. She was proud of her several tournament wins at Ponte Vedra Country Club and especially of her 1973 9-Holers Championship Flight victory at Carmel.  Elizabeth continued to enjoy playing golf into her 80’s until a knee replacement sidelined her.

She enjoyed cooking, had quite the sweet tooth and loved trying out and sharing new recipes.  A favorite of many was “Mrs. Harris’s pound cake”.  She was a dedicated North Carolina Tar Heels fan, her favorite being UNC basketball.  Elizabeth was more than thrilled (along with the rest of Tar Heel nation) with two wins, in particular, from this past season. She was a longtime member of Providence Baptist Church and was blessed with many lifelong friends and family who loved her dearly. Elizabeth enjoyed traveling abroad with Max and their best friends, Jan and Zeb Smith.

Compassionate, warm-hearted and remembered by many for her joyous laughter, she is survived by her children; Max A. Harris Jr. and his wife, Karen of Holly Springs, NC, Bev Harris Brown and her husband, Scott and Blair A. Harris and his wife, Julie both of Charlotte, NC.  She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Emily Hyder, Garrett Harris, Grant Harris, Ryan Webster, Elizabeth and Meredith Brown and Russell Harris, all of whom affectionately called her “Mimi” and six great grandchildren, Carson, Finley, Jennings, Macon, Bodhi, and Georgia.  She was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Laura Harris Webster; granddaughter, Caroline Paige Harris and siblings, Cleta Hildebrand, Vurland Berry and Margie Page.

Seventy-three years later, Max Jr., Bev and Blair believe that a quote from Elizabeth’s senior class yearbook still captures her spirit: “She will be liked wherever she goes for she is a girl whom everyone knows”.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, July 15, 2022 at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road in Charlotte.  The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Elizabeth to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, 500 Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC, 28206 or Duke Cancer Institute, 710 West Main Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

 

Share your memories & condolences

Comments

  • Lloyd Baird

    I have many wonderful memories of Lib and Max -they are the All American couple----Max, (my cousin), and Lib were couple years behind me in High School, although Lib and I was in a school play---her playing piano and me and a friend singing (we talked about that for years to come). Lib was very talented and athletic. As a youth Max and many of our cousins would play "peggie", etc in field across street from his home. He also was in my wedding, and always talked about that very "hot day" back in summer of '53. Two great folks -and they will surely be missed. Lloyd Baird

  • Teresa Hubbell Mayes

    My thoughts and prayers are with the family!
    Love, Bill & Teresa

  • Teresa Hubbell Mayes

    I am so sorry. Y’all are in my thoughts and prayers. Much love!

  • Georganne Boone

    Elizabeth-Lib to me!- was a bright spot in all of our lives! She was always the person I sort out to be around with her wonderful smile and humor. We had some really wonderful times together-memories that I will always cherish. Love to all of the family-Max -Beverly and Blair