Bettye Ruth Harris was born on May 31, 1936 in Chattanoga, Tennessee to the late Viola Finley-Wilhoite and Willie Mullins. Bettye was baptized at an early age at the Second Baptist Church in Chattanoga Tennessee, where she received God as her personal savior.

In 1947 Bettye moved to Cleveland Ohio where she met and married her Archie Harris in 1956 and to this union no children were born. In 1966 Bettye Archie purchased their first home where she lived until her passing. Bettye worked for the Jewish Community Federation of Menorah Park until her retirement. She later returned to work at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District as a school crossing guard. Bettye spent most of her life ministering the word of God. She so loved the Lord! She attended the Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Leon Lawrence until his passing. She later joined Unity Faith Missionary Baptist Church where E.H. Jones presided as Pastor. As her health weakened she joined the Bread if Life Missionary Baptist Church where her cousin Sarah pastured. She was a member of the mothers board, ushers board and vacation bible school teacher. Bettye was also a member of the Lee-Harvard Community Association and the East 142nd Street Neighborhood Club. Bettye was always committed to helping anyone in need; she always had a caring and loving heart. One of her past time enjoyments was traveling to see family.

Bettye went home to be with the lord on November 22, 2022.

Bettye is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Watson Willis, Vernon and Ray Wilhoite. She leaves to morn her passing, brother James E. Wilhoite Jr., (Theresa); sisters Vanessa Fleming and Tanja Wilhoite, plus a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family.