July 20, 2026, 79, Durham – Kaye Harris Denbo, 79, died Monday, July 20, 2026 at home. Born on February 28, 1947, Kaye was the daughter of the late Nathaniel Wise Whitfield, Jr. and Grace Redmond Whitfield, and wife of the late William “Bill” Harold Harris. Kaye grew up in Roxboro, NC and graduated from Roxboro High School in 1965 as class valedictorian. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1969. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a physical therapist. She loved what she did. She was married to Bill for 43 years and worked many places, including Buffalo, NY and Cincinnati, OH before moving back to North Carolina to settle and continue her work in physical therapy for more than 40 years. She had a passion for knitting, collecting teapots, traveling, reading, and spending time with family. She belonged to Aldersgate United Methodist Church since 1977. Many who remember her especially remember her kind heart and welcoming spirit.
Kaye is survived by her loving husband, Edward M. Denbo, Jr., a daughter, Jessica Harris of Durham; a son, Jeffrey Harris and fiancée, Whitney McEachran of Reno, NV; a stepdaughter Meg Denbo and stepson Bo Denbo of NC, her very special granddaughters, Zoe, Maia, Evy, and Ginny Harris of CA as well as step-grandchildren Olivia, Holden, and Collin Denbo. She is also survived by her brother Kent Whitfield and his wife Ann Whitfield of Cary, NC, and sisters Regina Carver and her husband George Carver of Durham, NC, and Elaine Wilkerson and her husband Larry Wilkerson of Roxboro, NC. She is predeceased by her sister Deborah Dixon. The family wishes to thank all the staff of UNC Hospice for their loving care of this very special woman.
A celebration of Kaye’s life will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Murphy officiating. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 – 11:00 AM before the service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1320 Umstead Road, Durham, NC 27712.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church or UNC Lineberger Cancer Center www.unclineberger.org.
The family is under the care of Evergreen Memorial Service, Goldsboro, NC.
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