Myra Boone Harris

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Myra Boone Harris, who departed this life on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Born December 12, 1944, Myra’s journey was marked by compassion, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to her loved ones. She touched many lives with her kindness, wisdom, and gentle humor. Myra will be dearly remembered by family, friends, and all whose lives were brightened by her presence. Her legacy of warmth and generosity will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

Myra, daughter of Dr. Waldo and Myra Alcorn Boone, grew up in Durham, North Carolina. She attended Calvert School (now Durham Academy), Salem Academy, and graduated from Elon College. During college, she met her future husband, Isaac E. “Chip” Harris III, a Navy pilot, on a blind date, later reflected in her “Jet Set” license plate. They married on August 9, 1969, after Chip returned from Vietnam and they lived together in Durham for over 56 years.

As her dementia worsened, she and Chip could no longer join the family’s annual Atlantic Beach vacation. The family vacation included her son, Isaac E. “Ron” Harris IV, his wife Angie, and their twin daughters, Caroline and Heidi, her oldest daughter Shannon Montague, her husband Roger, and their two daughters Mary Helen and Margaret and their son Walker, and Myra’s youngest daughter Tracy Rayner, her husband Will and their two sons, Ross and Jay. The family was close, and she often told her grandchildren she loved them "to the Moon and back."

Myra was an avid sportswoman who won the City of Durham’s ladies’ tennis championship and later the Hope Valley Country Club golf title. She ran daily with her dog Bella at Duke University trails, swam at the Meadowmont Club when running became hard. At Atlantic Beach, she could bike from Fort Macon to Emerald Isle before breakfast. Myra was a great influence on her three children and the seven grandchildren. Due to her love and kindness, they are all following in her footsteps for a very successful and happy life.

In addition to her three children and seven grandchildren mentioned previously, she had a long-standing relationship with her brother Stanley Boone and his wife Sussie, who reside in Pennsylvania. She also remained connected to her two nieces, Betsy and Bonnie, the daughters of her late eldest brother, William “Bill” Boone. She maintained ongoing associations with members of the tennis club and swimming group. Her rescue dog, “Bobby,” was always at her side during her years with dementia, as well as at the end of her life.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 18, 2025, at The Church of the Good Sheperd. Officiating will be Pastor Simon Stokes.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Amedisys Hospice or the SPCA of Wake County.

The family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.