Mary Edwards Harris, age 96, of Bena, passed away at home on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011.
She was born and raised at Bena, and graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1935 with an A.B. degree in Library Science. Following graduation she held positions in her field in several locations around the state of Virginia, returning to Bena in 1946 when she married her teenage sweetheart, Oliver Young Harris Jr. They settled at "Land’s End" in Oliver’s family summer home on the Perrin River, where they raised their family and were lifelong active community servants.
Mary’s family and friends were the center of her universe. She never met a stranger, and she befriended many newcomers to the county. Her sense of humor and sincere interest in others charmed everyone—strangers as well as family and long-time friends. She was a member of Union Baptist Church and the York River Circle of The King’s Daughters.
Mary was predeceased by her husband in 1995; also by her parents, Everett Staley Edwards and Mary Ashe Edwards; her brother, Everett Ashe Edwards; sisters, Margaret Edwards Jordan and Grace Riddle Lloyd, and a grandson, Ryan Andrew White.
She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Harris White and her husband Chuck; her son, James Edwards Harris and his wife Kathy; her grandson, Burke Edwards Harris.
In addition, she is survived by nieces, Mary Margaret Beal, Jane Eldin, Sue Robinson, Meg Jordan, Susan Edwards, Laura Phillips, Mary Jenrette, and Martha Castellano, and nephews, Staley Edwards Jordan and Samuel Young Harris.
A Celebration of Life service, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Rodney Autry and the Rev. Richard Whiteheart, was held at Union Baptist Church on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. Interment service followed at Gloucester Point Cemetery. The family received friends Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to York River Circle of The King’s Daughters, c/o Mrs. Sandra Harvey, 7312 Leigh Drive, Hayes, Va. 23072 or to Gloucester Point Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 527, Gloucester Point, Va. 23062.