Alyne Harris

Alyne Harris was born on March 25, 1942, in Gainesville, Florida to Otis Harris and Bertha (Bynum) Harris.  A self-taught artist, Alyne attended public schools in Alachua County, Florida, graduating from Lincoln High School.  She also attended Santa Fe College.

As a child growing up on a farm, Alyne and her siblings would play at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, where she would develop her love for art by drawing in the ground.  She was inspired by the dreams and visions of angels, which influenced her artwork.  Alyne would later become a renowned folk artist, her works has been housed in many museums throughout the United States to include the Harn Museum of Art, the Ashville Art Museum, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the New York Folk Art Museum, and the Harriet Tubman Museum of Art. Her works were also displayed on t-shirts, post cards and other mediums.

Alyne was a long-time employee of the University of Florida, working in environmental services.  In addition to creating works of art for all to enjoy, she enjoyed traveling, especially to places where she would gain inspiration to paint the great art seen throughout the world. Alyne loved to share her love of art with children by being a Foster Grandparents for fourteen years.

Alyne left this world on August 12, 2025; however, she left a great legacy for future generations. Alyne was preceded in death; her father Otis Harris, her mother, Bertha Harris; her brothers, John Harris, James Bryant, Noah Harris, Otis Harris; her sisters, Dorothy Williams, and Maggie Bryant,

Alyne leaves behind her son, Troy Maddox of Gainesville, Florida, and daughter Katrina Maddox-Hill and son-in-lawKevin Hill of Hampton, Georgia. She also leaves behind her granddaughter, Latara Williams of Smyrna, Georgia andgrandson, Kevin Hill of Hampton, Georgia, great granddaughter Ariel Green and great grandson Sebastian Young of Smyrna, Georgia.  She leaves behind a sister Josie Smith of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

Alyne leaves behind a special niece, Mae Williams of Gainesville, Florida and bonus daughter Nellie Evans of Riverview, Florida.  She is proceeded in death nephews Johnny Palmer and Charles Williams. She leaves behind nephews Ronnie Williams (Angela), Charles Gordon (Diane), nieces Patricia McCray (Alphonso), Terry Lee.  She leaves behind great nephews Terry Hill (Camesha), Alphonso McCray, ClassittMcCray (Crysta), Jeremy Whitehead, Jamel McCray (LaToya), Javon McCray (Carla), great nieces Neshia Cohens, Marquitta Chisom(Fred), Marniqua McCray, and Tamesha Williams.  Alyne also left behind a host of great, great nephews and nieces, friends, and family.

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