Elizabeth (Betty) Harris Childs, age 99, died on November 19, 2008, in State College, PA. Betty was born on January 19, 1909 in Schuylerville, NY.
Betty was the daughter of the former New York State Comptroller, the late Edwin S. Harris and the late Mae McKeckron Harris. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1930 with a degree in history and French. On July 3, 1936 she married the late Richard M. Childs. Betty began her career as a high school history teacher in Cuba, NY. In 1972, after 30 years of service to the State of New York. she retired as Senior International Trade Consultant for the NY State Department of Commerce's International Commerce Division in Albany, NY. During her retirement, she lived on Cape Cod, in Melbourne, FL and State College, PA.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by two brothers, Edwin S. Harris and James N. Harris; by two sisters, Mary N. Harris and Jane R. Warwick; and by her son, Edwin S. Childs.
Betty is survived by her two granddaughters, Pembroke R. Childs and Chase H. Childs, and by her daughter-in-law, Jane Lee Childs, all of State College, P A; a son, Richard M. Childs and his wife Barbara, of Columbus, OH; by a grandson, Andrew Childs, of Seattle, WA; by a granddaughter, Amy Childs Reichardt, and two great-granddaughters, Charlotte and Lucy, of Denver, CO; by a granddaughter, Lisa Childs Lewis, and a great-grandson. Bryce. of Denver, CO.
She is also survived by four nieces: Rosemary Winslow, Nancy Long, Leslie Harris and Edith Harris; a nephew, James Harris; as well as by five great-nieces, two great-nephews, and many bridge-playing friends.
An avid bridge player, family genealogist, gardener, painter, and stamp collector, Betty was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Warren Cousins, a family genealogical society of Mayflower descendants.
Memorial donations may be made to Centre LifeLink EMS, Inc., 125 Puddintown Road, P.O. Box 272, State College, PA 16804, (814) 237-8163.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com