MAYBELL SMITH HARRIS
1922-2017
Maybell Smith Harris went peacefully to be with her Lord on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017. Born May 21, 1922, to May Bell Parker Smith Sterling and Egbert Victor Smith, Maybell’s entire life was lived with great enthusiasm, abundant joy, deep faith, gracious hospitality, and unparalleled loyalty.
Born in the family home on Main Street, Maybell was forever connected to Houston and Texas and to the friendships beginning in elementary school that continued until the end of life. She remembered a happy childhood and especially loved her time vacationing in Hunt, Texas, and attending Camp Waldemar where she made lifelong friends. Her love of being active and learning never ceased. Maybell started high school at San Jacinto High School, transferring to the new Lamar High School her Junior Year. She was in the second class to graduate from Lamar. She attended Rice Institute (later Rice University), where she was invited to join the Elizabeth Baldwin Literary Society and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1943. At Rice she met many students who would also become lifelong friends, including the man to whom she would be married for 67 years, Virgil Everette Harris, Jr. Theirs was a marriage of respect, friendship, love and much laughter. Virgil, more than once, told the story of the first time he saw Maybell walk into a classroom. It was not just her piercingly blue eyes or beautiful countenance that caught his attention: Maybell possessed a remarkable radiance and zest to which those who knew her can attest. They married June, 1943, and after Virgil’s service in the Navy began their life together in Houston.
Along with raising three children, Maybell found time to be a very active member of the Blue Bird Circle where she enjoyed 47 years of serving with her Blue Bird friends. She was also an active member at First Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Women (where she received the “Life Member” award for her service), The Sewing Club (founder), Houston Country Club, and The Late Bloomers Garden Club. Maybell’s gift of hospitality was known throughout all her many circles of friendships. Many happy family memories took place around the Harris dining room table. She was a masterful, creative cook, as well as a skilled bridge player, seamstress and tennis player. Her needlepoint creations are cherished by family and friends for their incredible beauty and sheer artistry. Perhaps her greatest gift was her grateful heart which allowed her to receive God’s love and blessings and therefore love and bless others abundantly.
Maybell was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Emalynn Smith Mahan, her brother, Egbert Victor Smith, and by her husband, Virgil Everette Harris, Jr. She is survived by her three children: Virgil E. Harris, III of Dallas, Victor E. Harris, Sr. and wife Julie, and Holly Harris Mason. Eight grandchildren: Virgil Harris, IV, Sally Harris Falwell (Craig), Jenny Harris Crandall (Jon), Dan Harris (Jenny), Katie Harris Patterson (Brian), Victor E. Harris, Jr. (Jenn), Parker Mason, and Caroline Mason. Six great-grandchildren: Evey Falwell, Elliot Patterson, Janie Patterson, Shepherd Crandall, Wyatt Patterson and James Daniel Harris, Jr. (born April 12th).
The family would like to thank all of her caregivers, especially Betty McClinton and Dorothy Briscoe, whose dedication and loyalty were so appreciated, as well as nurses and staff at The Hallmark.
A memorial service will be conducted at ten o’clock on Saturday, May 6th, at First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77004. For those so desiring, in lieu of flowers, Maybell’s children gratefully ask that a donation be made in her name to the charity of one’s choice.