Belva Harris Cauthen

Belva Nan Harris Cauthen was born December 28, 1943 in Zebulon GA, daughter of the Revered Donald Dee Harris and Nira Grace Dykes Harris.  She was the second of five children, two who are still with us, her sister, Pamela Harris Sheppard, and brother David Harris. Belva is survived by her loving husband, Nelson Rauch Cauthen Jr., two daughters, Alexandria Cauthen-Zach and her husband Chris Zach,  Amanda Cauthen Bradford and her husband Chuck Bradford, and six grandchildren: Dylan Zach, Tara Zach, Cameron Zach, Joseph Bradford, Sam Bradford, and John Paul Bradford.

Belva attended the University of Georgia where she received a degree in journalism, and met the man who would later become her husband.  They remained in Athens GA while Nelson got his PhD in psychology, and welcomed their older daughter. Later, moving to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Nelson taught at the University of Calgary, and Belva gave birth to their younger daughter.  In 1980, the Cauthens moved back to Canton to be closer to family.

Belva raised her daughters, welcomed in her grandchildren, and enjoyed several passions that fed her creative spirit and bright intellect. She was an avid Scrabble player, rarely beaten, and leaves behind a legacy of epic family Scrabble games in her wake. She was a crack genealogist, doing research that connected her family lines back to the original Jamestown settlement, and was welcomed in to the Jamestown Historical Society. She was an artist and worked in the medium of thread and fabric, creating many beautiful and creative quilts that have been displayed in places such as the MS Agricultural Museum, the MS State Fair, and downtown Canton.  Belva enjoyed belonging to the Allison Wells Quilt Guild, remaining a member for many years, and was also a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Canton, staying active, and attending regularly with her family.

 Belva passed on June 20th, 2023 at St. Dominic’s hospital in Jackson MS, after a period of ill health. The staff worked diligently to help her, and her family, along with close friend, Renee Stewart, took turns staying by her side until the end. Belva was greatly loved, and will be deeply missed as she moves on to join her ancestors on the other side. With wounded hearts, we bid her blessings and farewell.

Visitation will be Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am chapel service at Breeland Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Canton Cemetery.

Memorials May be made to the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital.

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