Betty Jean Harris

Betty J. Carter entered this life on February 14, 1936 in Houston, Texas to Mr. Esby O. Carter and Angeline Washington Carter. The Lord called our sweet Valentine home to be with Him on Friday, August 9, 2024. Born into a large family, Betty was immediately surrounded with love by her older siblings.
Raised in a Christian family, Betty received Christ and was baptized as a young child. Her love of God and her church led her into the love of Christian music. As a child, she learned to play the piano and as an adult, she regularly enjoyed playing for her church, Prayer Revival Mission.
After high school graduation, Betty attended Nursing School earning her LVN license. From her 1957 graduation until 2018 Betty kept her nursing license current by attending many further education classes. She started her career providing care for children at Texas Children's Hospital then St. Luke's Hospital. She later dedicated her focus to private duty nursing until her retirement.
Betty married Cleophus Bradford and to that union, Cythina E. Bradford was born. After that union Betty was united in marriage to Taft Harris and they were blessed with five children; Andetria, Taft Jr., Lichina, Charles and Angeline. Betty and Taft regularly taught their children how to be self-sufficient in both the country and the city. They raised cattle, pigs and chickens while maintaining a garden and slaughtering and processing their own meat. Betty and Taft built many houses and buildings and poured cement driveways together, side by side. She was always thinking of what business she wanted to start next. Betty learned how to make hats and purses and regularly made clothes for herself and her children.
She was a board member of the PTA and a member of Women's Aglow.
She enjoyed riding her lawn mower and mowing the country land. She also found great pleasure in fishing and hunting in the country and loved to cook and barbeque whatever she caught.
Betty also enjoyed traveling. She and her family were blessed to experience traveling by trailer across the United States, as well as many cruises and trips to islands.
The best part of Betty's life was spending time in church. She loved the Lord and could never get enough of worshiping with God's people. She united with Lindale Church and attended any and every service she could. She LOVED Pastor Randy, Pastor Jana and all of her friends at Lindale.
Betty also fellowshiped with Congregation Beth Messiah where she learned the Hebrew meanings behind her Christian walk with God. She enjoyed attending Saturday Shabbat Services and learning about the Messianic Jewish traditions and the Hebrew language. She LOVED Rabbi Richard, Patsy Freeman and all of her friends at Beth Messiah.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; Esby Carter and Angeline Carter Hayter, Husband Taft Harris Sr, Sisters; Lois Thompson and Gladys Sherman, Brothers: Clarence Sparks, Marvin Carter, Alvin Craft and Lawrence Carter.
She leaves to cherish her memory; her children; Cynthia Bradford (Gary), Andetria Morris, Taft Harris Jr., Lichina Harris, Charles Harris, Angeline Patterson (Derron); Her grandchildren: Roshandra, Andr'e, Angel, Dartinya, Damondrick, Dion, Ashley, Candace, Tiffany, John, Derron II, and Valentia; 15 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
The family will receive friends at the visitation on Friday, August 16th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Lindale Church.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 17th at 10:00 am at Lindale Church, 503 Reid St Houston, TX 77022, with burial to follow at Golden Gate Cemetery in Houston.