Betty Jean Harris

Betty Jean Ricketts Harris was born on January 19, 1932, in Fort Worth, Texas, and was the only girl and youngest child of Mr. John Hayward Ricketts and Mrs. Mary Lucille Crowder Ricketts. She was educated in the Fort Worth Public School District and graduated from I. M. Terrell High School in 1949, where she ran track and excelled in academics.

She married Maurice E. Harris on September 2, 1950, and remained married to him until his death on July 27, 1997. To this union, five children were born: Maurice Gene “Ricky” Harris, Vickey Lynn Harris, Michael Phillip Harris, Randall John Harris, and Gregory Arthur Harris.

She worked third shift for 31 years at the Texas Instruments plant in Richardson, Texas. She drove from east Fort Worth to Richardson every evening even in icy conditions until she retired.

She professed a belief in Christ at a young age and was united with the historic Mount Gilead Church, where she served for several years. After enrolling her children in the Our Mother of Mercy (OMM) Catholic School in the late 60’s, Betty took the steps to become Catholic and to become a member of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, where she remained a devoted parishioner until her end of life. She also ensured that all of her children became OMM members.

At OMM, Betty was involved in a number of ministries and activities. She was a longtime member of St. Anne’s Altar Society and the Ladies Auxiliary (St. Veronica Court 89) of the Knights of Peter Claver.

Some of the highlights of her OMM service:

• St. Anne’s Altar Society’s Parliamentarian
• Pastoral Council member
• Devoted special assistant to Father Farrell, Father Howard, and other assigned OMM priests
• As the head OMM School cook, she provided many nutritious and delicious meals for hundreds of students
• Fort Worth Diocesan Annual MLK Mass Committee member
• Attended numerous educational events, including the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary National Conference, Fort Worth Diocesan leadership training, and the National Black Catholic Congress
• She received many awards, including the OMM Woman of the Year Award
• Led the annual OMM Easter Egg Hunt for years
• Chaired the annual OMM Fall Festival for several years
• Prided herself on keeping the grounds well-manicured and landscaped, even as recently as last year when she was 92 years old.
• Decorated the church for the different liturgical seasons and would work until wee hours of the morning to decorate the church for Christmas for many years
• Was a dynamic, crowd-rousing model in the Women of Mercy Bonding Retreat Fashion Show
• Founder of the St. Anne’s Altar Society’s Soul Food Dinners as part of the OMM Black History Month celebration
• Her Sunday concessions after church were highly anticipated. She always served more than donuts and coffee. She would serve hot dogs, nachos, the Frank Staton-requested biscuits and sausage, and so much more.

She discovered that she possessed several artistic abilities including drawing, sewing, refinishing old furniture, and cooking. Two of her signature dishes were her German chocolate cake and seafood gumbo at Christmas. Another talent that she had was her ability to provide great haircuts. Her father was a well-known barber and taught her how to cut hair.

She loved family get-togethers. Her buffet tables were spectacular, and she always used her best dishes for the get-togethers. Afterwards, everyone would gather in her immaculately landscaped back yard for fun and games. An avid gardener, she loved working in her yard. It became such a show place that she would have numerous neighbors compliment her on her landscaping and she was even given an award for best yard in her neighborhood.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brothers; her children Ricky, Vickey, and Michael; and her cousins Harry Crear, Mary Timley, and Christine Jackson.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons Randall Harris and Gregory Harris; her grandchildren Eric Harris, Ryann Harris Handy (Matthew), Autumn Harris Dowell (Sidney), Bailey Harris, and Riley Harris; her great grandchildren Avery Zora, and Emma; special cousins Wanda Tartt, Cassandra Timley, Deadra Timley Taylor (Charles), Paul Timley, Marsha Crear, Regina Crear, Mark Crear (Sharron), Stephen Crear (Tracy), Larry Crear; special “daughter” Judy Bell; special friends Mary Alice Oliver, Lana Wilborn, Marie Guidry, and Aretha Cox; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and her very best friend and faithful ‘fur baby’ companion, Belle.

A Rosary service will be held at 6:00 P.M., Thursday, August 21, 2025, followed by a Celebration of Life at 7:00 P.M. at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church located at 1001 E. Terrell Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76104. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M., Friday, August 22, 2025 also at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church followed by interment at Cedar Hill Memorial Park.