Rebecca Harr Obituary

Rebecca Boyd Harr

February 13, 2025

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Rebecca Boyd Harr, 77, went to her eternal home to see her Savior on Thursday, February 13, 2025. She passed away peacefully in her sleep after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's Disease.

Rebecca "Becky" was born in Kingsport, Tennessee and lived her entire life in East Tennessee until the last 3 ½ years when she lived in Jackson, Mississippi with family. She graduated from Blountville High School in 1965 and went on to attend and graduate with a Bachelor's degree from Carson-Newman College. She received her Master's Degree from East Tennessee State University. She retired from the Sullivan County School System after 33 years of teaching and service.

She was a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church, PCA, where she taught Sunday School, served as the Vacation Bible School Director for many years, and volunteered in various other church roles throughout her life.

She was a loving wife, mother, teacher, friend, and Honey to her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her unconditional love and support of her family, especially her girls, her continuous search for a good bargain, her love of shopping, her hobby of crafting, and her strong friendships. She was a mathematician who could solve any equation or problem in her head even before someone could write it down. She had a faith that carried her throughout her life and the ability to share with others what that faith meant. Her unwavering dedication to her family and her Lord gave her strength. As she battled her last years on earth with diseases that took control of her mind and body, she never forgot Scriptures she had hidden in her heart and hymns that she would often sing. In her last few years, she lived in a different city and state. Yet, she continued to attend church and Bible study when she could, and enjoyed new friendships.

Becky was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Jerry Douglas Harr; parents Katherine and Fred Boyd; siblings Jane Boyd Hughes, Ruth Ann Boyd Shook, and Isaac Boyd, and brothers-in-law Clarence Harr (Dorothy), Willard Harr (Jerrie), Herman Harr (Betty), Dale Harr, and sisters-in-law Lucille Harr Winegar (Grove) and Sue Harr Wagner (Fred).

Surviving are daughters Jill Harr Rhyne (Gordon) of Powell, Tennessee and Ella Harr Payne (Virgil) of Jackson, Mississippi; six grandchildren, Molly Rhyne and Jacob Rhyne and Anderson Payne, Mary Harr Payne, Reeve Payne, and Boyd Payne; brother-in-law Wayne Harr (Vivian) of Blountville and sisters-in-law Ann Harr Mays (Charles) of Blountville and Virginia Harr of Kingsport; several nieces and nephews, many dear friends, and a special caregiver Adrian Hicks.

The family will receive friends from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2025 at Akard Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jim Powell and Rev. Mark Blalack officiating. Graveside services will be conducted following the service at Blountville Cemetery, Blountville, Tennessee. Anderson Payne, Boyd Payne, Virgil Payne, Jacob Rhyne, and Gordon Rhyne will serve as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Bancroft Bible Camp in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at akardfuneralhome.com.

Akard Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Harr family.