Mary Horton Harris

Mary Horton Harris entered eternal rest at her Martinez home on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Her passing was unexpected, but peaceful.

Born in Baumhold, Germany, on June 21, 1955, to Charles R. Horton and Anna Erika Horton, Mary became rooted in Georgia as a teenager. She graduated from Butler High School and Augusta College (BFA), where she met her loving husband of nearly 48 years, Phillip B. Harris.

After fifteen years working with Kinsella Enterprises, Mary enjoyed a rewarding, decades-long career teaching visual art to middle school students in Columbia County and, later, to students at Heritage Academy, in Augusta. Her former students now work as art educators and professional artists. A highlight of her career was seeing a student’s work appear on the cover of the industry magazine School Arts.

Mary, who later earned her M.Ed. from Lesley University, was an accomplished artist, though she would never say so. She loved printmaking, mixed media, watercolor, and doodling. For years, one of her decorated cocktail napkins hung behind the bar at Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar, in Evans. Her work was selected twice as the Arts in the Heart cover art for the Applause! feature in the Augusta Chronicle. She published photography in the book Jekyll Island: The Nearest Faraway Place. Most recently, she collaborated with a dear friend and colleague to conceptualize, design, and complete a mural in the M. Bert Storey Courtyard at The Master’s Table Community Kitchen, in downtown Augusta. Mary believed the creative arts are necessary for life; everyone should have access to them—and often.

Mary was an active member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, and a Master Naturalist. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling the United States, especially driving Georgia backroads and visiting the Georgia coast. Days before her passing, she introduced her cherished grandson to one of her favorite places: Sapelo Island. She was happy.

In addition to her husband, Mary is survived by her daughter: Anna Caroline Harris Parker (Caleb); son: Samuel Dalton Horton Harris (Jamie); grandson: Amos Ponder Parker; sister: Julie Horton Livingston (Lawton); niece: Bridget Livingston Morris (Mike); and great-niece: Benton Amanda Vineyard. She also leaves behind many beautiful friends, admired colleagues, and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by two sisters: Patricia Lee Horton, and Heidi Marie Horton.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection: 825 Greene St., Augusta, GA 30901. Pastor David Hunter and Rev. Jimmy Harris will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. In honor of Mary, the family requests that everyone wear bright colors. A reception will be held in Reiser Hall following the service. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Hale Foundation, 402 Walker St., Augusta, GA 30901, and Golden Harvest Food Bank, 3310 Commerce Dr., Augusta, GA 30909.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907; (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.