Bertha George Harris facts for kids

Bertha George Harris (born June 29, 1913 – died October 14, 2014) was an amazing American Catawba tribal elder and a true master potter. She was known for making a special kind of pottery that is unique to the Catawba people. She made her pottery from river clay without using electricity or a potter's wheel. Bertha Harris was the oldest living member of the Catawba tribe when she passed away in 2014. Today, there are about 2,800 Catawba people, mostly living in York County, South Carolina, and nearby areas.

About Bertha Harris

Bertha George was born on June 29, 1913, in Lancaster County, South Carolina. Her parents were Moroni James George and Hattie Milling George. She spent most of her life in Catawba County and York Counties.

She grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, during a time when there was racial segregation in the American South. This meant that different groups of people were kept separate. Native American groups, like the Catawba, faced unfair treatment.

Bertha married George Furman Harris, and they were together for 75 years! He passed away in 2006. They had seven children together.

A Master Potter

Bertha George Harris was a highly respected potter. She was known as one of the Catawba's master potters. Catawba pottery is very special. It is made from river clay and shaped by hand, without using a potter's wheel. This shows incredible skill and tradition.

Members of the Catawba tribe shared that Bertha felt it was a great honor to be the oldest living elder. This role was very important to her and to her community.

Her Legacy

Bertha George Harris passed away on October 14, 2014, at the age of 101. She was the oldest member of the Catawba tribe at that time.

Her funeral was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the Catawba Indian Nation reservation. Many people shared how important she was.

Gilbert Blue, who was the Chief of the Catawba from 1977 to 2007, grew up with Bertha's children. He said that Bertha understood how important her role as the oldest elder was. He shared that it made her feel good and important, and it made everyone in the tribe feel good too.

The current Catawba Chief, Bill Harris, is Bertha's great-nephew. He also spoke about her special place in the tribe. He said, "Of the Catawba people, of the people who have been here on this patch of ground for all these centuries, she was the oldest among us." He added that it was a "great, even sacred, honor" for her and for everyone.

Bertha Harris was survived by five of her seven children: three daughters and two sons. After her passing, Frances Wade, who was 92 years old in October 2014, became the oldest Catawba elder.