Ruth Emerson Harris

Ruth Emerson Harris, 90, died September 25, 2022, with family by her side in Washington, Georgia.

Ms. Harris was born April 17, 1932, in Thomson, Georgia to Waldo Putnam Harris, II and Mary Fluker Harris. She was the sixth of eight children and the first daughter.

Ms. Harris graduated from Washington High School in 1949 and went on to Tift College to double-major in applied piano and organ with a minor in French. She then completed her MFA at the University of Georgia with a major in applied piano and a minor in romantic literature. Since graduation her support and love for UGA has been undying. She was a proud alumna and loved her Dawgs’ football.

Ruth Harris’s career included teaching and performing from Gainesville, Georgia to The Netherlands to Northwestern University to Washington, Georgia. In addition to teaching hundreds of piano students over 65 years, she served in numerous leadership roles with the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) and the Music Teachers Association at the national, state and local levels (MTNA, GMTA, AMTA).

Her greatest joy in life was sharing her love for music with others and supporting her students in their goals. In addition, Ms. Harris was an avid writer, having just finished a book on Christianity at the time of her death. She traveled extensively in her religious studies.

Ms. Harris is survived by her brothers, Dr. Joseph B. Harris (Dorothy) and Rev. John S. Harris (Colleen) and numerous nephews, nieces and other close relatives. She was preceded in death by sister Jane Harris Wright and brothers Rev. Waldo P. Harris, III; W. Henry Harris; Rev. J. Robert Harris; and Thomas M. Harris.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Hopkins Funeral Home in Washington, Georgia.