Betsy Boyce Snyder Harris

She was born on 9/11 and that was just the beginning. Betsy Boyce Snyder Harris, the only child of Harold and Evelyn Boyce Snyder, died March 3, 2014 after a brief illness. Born in 1944, Betsy grew up in Dardanelle but spent her adult life in Russellville. She remembered riding her horse and her bicycle around Dardanelle where she maintained many childhood friendships for a life time. She graduated from the high school division of Gulf Park College in Gulfport, Mississippi, in 1962 and from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1965, where she was a member of Psi chapter, Chi Omega sorority. She married John Charles Harris on June 16, 1965, in Dardanelle. Their daughter, Elizabeth Clair, was born in 1974. Both live in Russellville. She was a past president and member of the Russellville National Association of Junior Auxiliaries and was active in many other community organizations, including the Arkansas Democratic Women and the Rotary Ann Club. Betsy was an accomplished cook, caterer and hostess. Betsy was a natural storyteller. From 1984 until 1990, she wrote a food column, "Cooking with Betsy," for the Russellville Courier.. It was popular for recipes, of course, but also because it often was laugh-out-loud funny and occasionally outrageous. One hilarious Thanksgiving column recounted the mayhem that occurred when a wild turkey flew into her house through the living room window. Betsy loved parties and other dress-up occasions. Often elegantly dressed but never understated, who could forget the see-through, battery-powered high heels with lights twinkling as she danced…..or the magenta satin jacket. She loved costume parties and showed up in everything from a lacy slip under a mink coat (Elizabeth Taylor in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) to a nun's habit she borrowed from the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. She was on the Rep's state board and worked several years on the Arkansas Arts Center's Tabriz auction. Her creativity was appreciated by both organizations. Betsy fancied herself a worldwide traveler but would go nowhere a shot was necessary. While she was often slow, she could be ready to go on any trip in record time. One of her last Christmas cards showed her atop a camel with the Egyptian pyramids in the background. She was a genealogist and immediate past president of the National Society of Colonial Dames - Arkansas, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was an amateur Arkansas historian and delighted in old Arkansas memorabilia. The granite in her kitchen came from the historic Marion Hotel in Little Rock. Betsy loved old movie classics, chocolate ice cream, left over cornbread dressing and funny stories she would later embellish while repeating. She delighted in humorous obituaries and planned to write her own, but didn't get around to it before she fell ill. She must have trusted a couple of her friends to have that honor. Betsy loved life and laughed often and well. A side of Betsy that was less well known was more charitable and serious. She often spent Memorial Day putting flags on the graves of veterans and many Mother's Days visiting her mother's friends in nursing homes. She completed a three-year theological study for the Presbyterian Church and functioned as a lay minister. She was co-chair of the Dardanelle First Presbyterian Church Centennial Celebration and was on the Congregational Care and Development Committee for the Arkansas Presbytery. She was a loyal and steadfast friend and demanded the same qualities from her friends. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, March 7, 2 p.m. at the Dardanelle First Presbyterian Church, but probably will not start on time since Betsy was chronically late. It's almost certain she will finish her makeup in the church parking lot. Honorary Pallbearers are Linda Burris McBride, Margaret Jones Mitchell, Bonnie Brown Ring, Tish Talbot, Toni Marple Weatherford, Jack Lowrey, Sandy McMath, Dr. Gene D. Ring and Todd Sweeden. There will be a private burial in the historic Brearley Cemetery, Dardanelle, Arkansas. The family requests no flowers. Instead, donations may be made in her honor to the Dardanelle First Presbyterian Church. 200 North Second Street, Dardanelle, Ark. 72834, or the River Valley Home (Arkansas Hospice Foundation), 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Arrangements Are By Cornwell Funeral Home and River Valley Cremations in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com.