THE BEATRICE CHRISLEY HARRIS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP

 

Beatrice “Bea” Harris, nicknamed Bea-Ka, was the wife of Gary Harris (EHS Class of 1963).  Gary wishes to endow a special scholarship in her honor.  Bea was a 1951 graduate of Calhoun Falls High School and attended Erskine College. She was formerly employed with Park Davis in Greenwood and Spartan Mills, Cherokee Finishing Division as a Senior Technician. She attended Cannons Campground Methodist Church.

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Gary referred to Bea as his “angel” because she was such a kind, selfless and caring person.  She knew no strangers and would often greet people who seemed to be sad or troubled and would find out the source of their troubles.  She would offer words of encouragement, pray with them and even sing to them, sometimes creating lyrics spontaneously that would address the person’s need.  By the time she left them, they would be smiling and happy.  She especially loved children, and, if they were sad, she would inject happiness into their lives and leave them smiling.

 

She was an avid reader of classical and modern literature and was brilliant in mentally-challenging games such as Chess and Backgammon. She embodied the highest ideals of Christianity, and her life was a testimony to the love of God. Because of her compassion for people, especially children, the scholarship will be named appropriately as the Beatrice Chrisley Harris Nursing Scholarship.  It would be even more fitting if the nursing student, receiving the scholarship, were to specialize in pediatric nursing.