Barbara Loveless Harris

Barbara Irene Loveless Harris, 80, a native of Austin passed away June 9, 2006, here in Austin. A beloved mother and grandmother, she was a surrogate mom to many of her children’s acquaintances and a trusted and devoted friend to those who had the good fortune to know her. She was born January 27, 1926, in Austin, to John Barton Loveless and Elizabeth Alhardt Loveless. Mrs. Harris grew up in South Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1943. She attended Texas State College for Women and the University of Texas at Austin during the WWII-years. It was at the University of Texas that she met her husband William Francis Harris, Sr., who preceded her in death. Barbara was an accredited National Flower Show Judge who impacted her community through her membership and leadership in numerous organizations. These include serving as: President of Violet Crown Garden Club, District Director of Texas Garden Clubs, member of the Austin Environmental Council of the Texas Organization for Endangered Species, member of National Horticulture Society, Orchid Society, founding Den Mother of Pack 22 Boy Scouts of America, Colonel in the Confederate Air Force, a daughter of the Confederacy, and National Chairman of Surviving Spouses of the Pearl Harbor Survivors. She also served her city and county by serving on the Travis County Grand Jury, worked at the Austin Rape Crisis Center, and along side her husband lead her north Austin community in convincing the Austin City Council to build Bartholomew Park. Mrs. Harris is survived by her children: William F. Harris, Jr. of Austin; John Barton Harris of Montgomery Village, Maryland; Susan Harris Denbow and Eric M Denbow of Moran, Texas; and James Ford Harris, Sr. of Austin; her grandchildren: John S. Notobartolo, Seth A. and Misty Denbow, James F. Harris, Jr., Cole B. and Scottye Denbow, Eric Blake Denbow, and William Austen Harris; and her great-grandchildren: Anthony J. Notobartolo, Addison Denbow, Lola Rosalie Lucky, and Audrey Elizabeth Lea-Harris She is also survived by her Aunt Josephine Butler of San Antonio and numerous cousins. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home at 2620 South Congress Ave. In lieu or flowers, her family requests that donations be submitted in her honor to Austin Area Garden Center, Town Lake Beautification, and the Buda Public Library. Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com