Obituary for Charlie Harris
Early Saturday morning, October 25, 2008 God sent his angels to bring Charlie Harris to his heavenly home. He spent his last days at the Chippenham-Johnston Willis Hospital surrounded by his devoted and loving family. Charlie was the fourth of ten children born to the late Joseph and Vera Ruffin Harris. He was the grandson of the late Thomas and Berta Archer Harris, and late Robert and Lucy Ruffin. He was born December 1, 1933. His sisters, Virginia Harris, Olivia Booker and Thelma Goodman predeceased him.
Charlie accepted Christ and joined the Flower Hill Baptist church at an early age. He was a member of the Usher Board and a faithful worker until his health prevented him from serving. He and his wife of fifty-two (52) years, Louise, were blessed with four sons, Lonnie, Chris, Mike and Greg. Charlie’s entire life was centered around hard work and raising their children. While employed in the construction industry, he worked for RT Mann, Lee HY, EG Bowles and retired from Interstate Company in 1998. He was instrumental in securing employment for several relatives and men from the community. His creative abilities and self-taught knowledge allowed him to make farming easier and more efficient by designing and building any tool or piece of equipment not sold in a store. He enjoyed his farm by raising pigs, planting and harvesting corn, sweet potatoes and vegetables. He was instrumental in designing and building the family’s “JoVera” picnic shelter, water slide, ponds and maintaining the manicured lawn and surrounding land. His grandchildren brought him immeasurable joy and happiness, particularly when he knew they were watching him fix or build something.
He leaves to cherish fond memories, his loving and devoted wife, Louise Mondrey Harris, four dutiful and dedicated sons and their spouses, Lonnie Alphonso (Mary) of Kernersville, NC, Christopher Jerome (Hattie) of Newport News, VA, Michael Charles (Shirdine) and Gregory William (Valarie) both of Amelia, VA; fourteen grandchildren, Lonnie Jr., Atlanta, GA; Michael Jr., Nashville, TN; Christopher Jr. and Jamaal, Newport News, VA; Alison, Charlotte, NC; Victoria, Norfolk, VA; Kristina, Saint Louis, MO; Shawanna, Newport News, VA; Margaret, Princeton, NJ; Kameron, Deion, Kayla, Gregory Jr. and Tyrell of Amelia, VA; three great-grandchildren, Madison, Heavyn and Isaiah; four sisters, Lillian Hicks, Gertrude Wise (George), Annie Tyler and Juanita Jones, two brothers, Aubrey and Douglas Harris; mother-in-law, Annie Mondrey, sisters and brothers-in-law, William and Lois Mondrey, Rev. Nancy and William Clarke, Mary and Walter Jasper, Audrey Caison, Martha Smith, Augusta and David Thornton, Marilyn and Garland Hicks, Andrew and Sharon Mondrey, Thomas, Paul, Victor, Andrew and Maxine Mondrey, and Yvonne Harris; a devoted caretaker, Kent Booker, and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins and friends.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was of a kind and giving nature and would extend a helping hand to anyone. He was loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 29, 2008 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral Services Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Flower Hill Baptist Church, Amelia with interment in the church cemetery.
Michael W. Hawkes Funeral Home of Amelia in charge of the arrangements.
Read More
Charlie accepted Christ and joined the Flower Hill Baptist church at an early age. He was a member of the Usher Board and a faithful worker until his health prevented him from serving. He and his wife of fifty-two (52) years, Louise, were blessed with four sons, Lonnie, Chris, Mike and Greg. Charlie’s entire life was centered around hard work and raising their children. While employed in the construction industry, he worked for RT Mann, Lee HY, EG Bowles and retired from Interstate Company in 1998. He was instrumental in securing employment for several relatives and men from the community. His creative abilities and self-taught knowledge allowed him to make farming easier and more efficient by designing and building any tool or piece of equipment not sold in a store. He enjoyed his farm by raising pigs, planting and harvesting corn, sweet potatoes and vegetables. He was instrumental in designing and building the family’s “JoVera” picnic shelter, water slide, ponds and maintaining the manicured lawn and surrounding land. His grandchildren brought him immeasurable joy and happiness, particularly when he knew they were watching him fix or build something.
He leaves to cherish fond memories, his loving and devoted wife, Louise Mondrey Harris, four dutiful and dedicated sons and their spouses, Lonnie Alphonso (Mary) of Kernersville, NC, Christopher Jerome (Hattie) of Newport News, VA, Michael Charles (Shirdine) and Gregory William (Valarie) both of Amelia, VA; fourteen grandchildren, Lonnie Jr., Atlanta, GA; Michael Jr., Nashville, TN; Christopher Jr. and Jamaal, Newport News, VA; Alison, Charlotte, NC; Victoria, Norfolk, VA; Kristina, Saint Louis, MO; Shawanna, Newport News, VA; Margaret, Princeton, NJ; Kameron, Deion, Kayla, Gregory Jr. and Tyrell of Amelia, VA; three great-grandchildren, Madison, Heavyn and Isaiah; four sisters, Lillian Hicks, Gertrude Wise (George), Annie Tyler and Juanita Jones, two brothers, Aubrey and Douglas Harris; mother-in-law, Annie Mondrey, sisters and brothers-in-law, William and Lois Mondrey, Rev. Nancy and William Clarke, Mary and Walter Jasper, Audrey Caison, Martha Smith, Augusta and David Thornton, Marilyn and Garland Hicks, Andrew and Sharon Mondrey, Thomas, Paul, Victor, Andrew and Maxine Mondrey, and Yvonne Harris; a devoted caretaker, Kent Booker, and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins and friends.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was of a kind and giving nature and would extend a helping hand to anyone. He was loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 29, 2008 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral Services Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Flower Hill Baptist Church, Amelia with interment in the church cemetery.
Michael W. Hawkes Funeral Home of Amelia in charge of the arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Charlie Harris, visit the Tribute Store.
Loading...