Margaret Elaine Whitley Harris, age 69, died Monday, March 18, 2013, at Wilson Medical Center, Wilson, NC.
Mrs. Harris was born in Como, in Hertford County, NC, on November 5, 1943, a daughter of the late Sadie Mae Burbage and R. Gilbert Whitley. She was a graduate of Murfreesboro High School and East Carolina University where she earned her teacher’s degree. Elaine taught school in Elm City, Wilson County Schools for fifteen years. Following her teaching she was Associate Director and Director of the Child Nutrition Programs for Wilson County Schools for another fifteen years, serving the Wilson County School system for 30 years. She was an active member of Elm City Baptist Church and also attended and participated in Buckhorn Baptist Church activities when she was in Como.
Besides her parents, Elaine was predeceased by her brother, R.O. ‘Dick’ Whitley. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Willie T. Harris, Jr. of the home; a sister-in-law, Crystal L. Whitley of Murfreesboro, NC; her nieces, Sharon Whitley Isley of Murfreesboro, NC, Sandra Whitley Banks and husband, Allan of Chesapeake, VA, Kathy Whitley Thompson and husband, Lee of Murfreesboro, NC, and Kelli Whitley of Troy, NC; her great nieces and nephews, Jordan Isley, Kayla Oliver and husband, Trey, Blake Isley, Logan Banks and wife, Melissa, Hunter Banks, Allie Banks, Kaitlyn Elaine Thompson and Danielle Thompson; and a great great nephew, Landon Oliver.
A celebration of life service will be conducted on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Buckhorn Baptist Church with the Rev. Sean Gallagher and Rev. Gene Wells officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service in Ahoskie from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and other times at Elaine and Willie’s home in Como. Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 3131 RDU Center Drive, Suite 100, Morrisville, NC, 27560 or the American Cancer Society, 930 Wellness Drive #B, Greenville, NC, 27834.
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Time: 7:00 am - 8:30 pm
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm
Garrett-Sykes
Funeral Service
Ahoskie
205 NC Highway 42 West
Ahoskie, NC 27910
Garrett-Sykes
Funeral Service
Rich Square
116 Short Street
Rich Square, NC 27869
Garrett-Sykes
Murfreesboro
Chapel
314 West Main Street
Murfreesboro, NC 27855
Garrett-Sykes
Aulander
Chapel
117 South Commerce Street
Aulander, North Carolina 27805
Mary Tyson Long posted on 3/20/13
Mr. Harris, My heart sank as I opened the paper this morning to learn of Mrs. Harris passing. She will truly be missed. I loved this lady so very much. Ms. Harris was the best teacher I ever had at Elm City High School. She taught me so much. I thought of her often. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I will never forget her. I Love You Mrs. Harris.