Gwenlyn Ann "Gwen" Harris

  Gwenlyn Ann “Gwen” Harris was born on March 13, 1939, in Pampa, Texas, to Lester and Verna Paige. At almost 87 years of age, she passed peacefully from this life on February 12, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.

  Gwen attended Draughon's Business College and married her high school sweetheart, Jim Whitfill. With the births of Scott and Dawn, she was devoted to caring for their home and encouraging Jim's career as a school teacher and budding artist. Later they opened and operated Whitfill Arts Supply and picture framing business in downtown Rockport. During those years, Gwen also served as a gallery director, encouraging artists and cultivating a vibrant creative community.

  In 1971, following the loss of her husband, Gwen began a career as an executive secretary, serving faithfully in that role for many years.

  Gwen was a member of the Rockport Art Guild and later, generously gave her time volunteering with husband George at Trinity Bible Church and the Center of Hope. Gwen was introduced to George through friends at work, and they married in 1978.

  She treasured time spent with family and friends and especially delighted in hearing about her grandchildren’s lives and activities. Gwen enjoyed bird watching, gardening, reading and square dancing with husband Jim. Together, Gwen and George shared a love of traveling and RV camping, and also collecting glass candlesticks. In recent years she revisited her love of Canasta by playing challenging games with friends. Her home and heart were always open, and she created spaces filled with beauty and laughter.

  Gwen was preceded in death by her first husband, Jimmy Scott Whitfill, to whom she was married for 14 years and who was the father of her children, Scott and Dawn; her second husband, George Harris, with whom she shared 36 years of marriage; her parents, Lester and Verna Paige; and her brothers, L.E. Paige and Jack Paige and wife, Carol Jean.

  She is survived by her son, Scott Whitfill and wife, Jan of Fort Worth; her daughter, Dawn Garner and husband, Jerry of Willow Park; her grandsons, Chris and wife, Liz of San Antonio, and their children, Riley and Bobby; Josh of Fort Worth; Jacob, serving in the United States Air Force; and J Dixon of Tulsa, Oklahoma; by her brother, Donald Paige and wife, Jo of Costa Mesa, California, and sister-in-law, Edna Paige of Arlington, wife of L.E. Paige.

  Gwen will be remembered differently by those she touched in different stages of her life, but especially for her smile, her care and concern for others, her creativity and generous spirit, and being a devoted friend. Most importantly, others will remember the joy she found in life, her faith as a believer in Jesus Christ and her deep love for her family.

  A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Trinity Bible Church in Willow Park, Texas.

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