Kathryn Harris

Kathryn (“Kitty”) Harris, a longtime Jacksonville resident and community volunteer, died on December 8, 2017 at the age of 103. She was a genuine life partner to her late husband, architect Clyde E. Harris, until his death in 2010. Together, they were featured in “Jacksonville Remembers,” the 2005 Florida Times-Union video production about city life in the mid-20th century.

Kitty brought a keen intelligence and accomplishment to every undertaking, deeply enriching the lives of her family, friends and the greater community. She was a high school valedictorian, Duke University graduate, Master Flower Show Judge Emeritus and Life Master in duplicate bridge, in addition to her volunteer work in local schools and civic organizations.

Kathryn Loraine Kiker was born on July 16, 1914 in Durham, N.C., the eldest of three daughters born to William Black and Blannie (Berry) Kiker. Her parents met at Trinity College (later Duke University), where both were graduated with honors in 1909. When Kitty was five, the family moved to Reidsville, N.C, where her father served as county engineer and later formed his own heavy construction company.

Kitty was valedictorian of the 1931 class of Reidsville High School. She attended Brenau College in Gainesville, Ga. for two years, then transferred to Duke, where she was president of an international relations club and a member of the Alpha Delta Pi social sorority. A history major, she earned her A.B. degree in 1935.

After a brief career in managing family-owned furniture stores, she married Clyde on January 21, 1939. The two made their home in Jacksonville, where Clyde was a practicing architect until his retirement in 1997 at the age of 87. The couple moved to Vicar’s Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach in 2000.

Kitty was a communicant of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and a member of its alter guild for 45 years. After moving to Ponte Vedra, she joined the congregation of Christ Episcopal Church.

When her children were young, she served on the Duval County Council of the PTA and the Girl Scout Council. She was always a keen horticulturist. A member of the Hyacinth Circle of the Garden Club of Jacksonville, she served multiple terms on its governing board. She was chairman of several flower shows and at the time of her death, held the rank of Master Flower Show Judge Emeritus.

Bridge was a lifelong passion. She began playing at the age of 7, when she filled in as a fourth for the family doctor-neighbor who left the table for medical emergencies. Named a Life Master in duplicate bridge in 1979, she continued to play in her 90s.

Among other activities, she was an enthusiastic golfer who made a hole-in-one at Timuquana Country Club, where she once chaired the women’s 18-hole group. She was a member of the Jacksonville Symphony Guild and a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was also a longtime supporter of the Cummer Gallery of Art and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In addition to her husband, Kitty was predeceased by her sons, William Kiker Harris and Charles Eugene Harris II. Survivors include daughter Kathryn Hayes Harris and her husband, Marvin Rudnick, of Pasadena, Ca.; daughters-in-law Helen Harris of Annandale, Va. and Susan Harris of New York City; niece Josephine Lane Erickson, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (4129 Oxford Ave., Jacksonville Fl. 32210); Christ Episcopal Church (400 San Juan Dr., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082), the Vicar’s Landing Scholarship Fund (1000 Vicar’s Landing Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl. 32082), or the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research.

A memorial service will be held at a later date when family members can gather.

Arrangements are under the direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL.