Mary Kathryn Taylor Harris

MARY KATHRYN TAYLOR HARRIS

Okatie, S.C.

Mary Kathryn Taylor Harris passed away on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. She was born on Jan.15, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Richard Edward Taylor Sr. and Eleanor Marie Maier Taylor. Mary grew up in Waukon, Iowa, graduated from Allamakee County High School, attended Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, earning a B.S. degree in biology, and then attended the University of Texas in Austin, earning an M.A. in botany. Mary taught science courses at Atlantic Christian College, Grinnell College, and at various high schools throughout her career.

While teaching at Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, N.C., Mary met her future husband, David Thurman Harris, Jr. They were married in 1969 and are the parents of two children, Susan Eleanor Harris Odom of Gallatin, Tenn., who married David Shelton Odom, and David Taylor Harris of Charleston, S.C., who married Julie Ann Binz.

When her husband retired, she and David moved to Callawassie Island near Beaufort, S.C., where she enjoyed volunteering in ecological endeavors and singing in various choral groups. She also earned Master Naturalist and Master Gardener certifications.

Mary is survived by her husband, David; daughter, Susan; son, Taylor; as well as grandchildren, Christopher Stephen Odom, Michael Anthony Odom, Jonathan David Odom, Zoe Skye Harris and Autumn Caroline Harris. Mary also is survived by her mother, Eleanor Maier Taylor of Iowa City, Iowa; brothers, Jim Taylor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Richard Taylor of Sun City West, Ariz.; sister, Ellen Taylor Gerard of LeClaire, Iowa; nieces, Traci Taylor Webber of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Sara Taylor Deuker of Berthoud, Colo.; and nephews, Andrew Taylor of Firestone, Colo., Philip Taylor of Tucson, Ariz., Michael Gerard of Kansas City, Mo., James Gerard of Duvall, Wash., and Joseph Gerard of Geneva, Ill..

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Richard Edward Taylor.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Lady's Island, S.C., with inurnment in the columbarium of the church. Details for the memorial services will follow.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 or the St. Francis Center on St. Helena Island, P.O. Box 682 St. Helena Island, SC 29920.

www.mtmercy.edu

sscm.org/st-francis-center-on-st-helena-island-sc/

Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.