Mildred Sarah Shelton Harris, 96, died peacefully
at Linden Hall, Friends Home in Kennett Square, on Sunday, Aug. 14. During her
final weeks she was surrounded by members of her family along with the
wonderful and caring staff of Linden Hall. Her sweet smile and loving presence
will be greatly missed by all.
Mrs. Harris was born in Danville, Va. on Nov. 30, 1914. In
1933 she married Carroll Nelson Harris (deceased), also of Danville. The
couple moved to Portsmouth, Va. in 1941 where Mr. Harris was employed as a
planning engineer at Dixie Veneer Corporation and Mrs. Harris was a homemaker
and community and church volunteer. They were happily married until Mr. Harris’
early death in 1954.
Prior to moving in April of 2006 to her daughter’s home in
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Harris resided for sixty-five years in
Portsmouth, Virginia.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Harris served others and was a
model of selfless giving and service to others. She was employed by the Navy
Exchange in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for more than 20 years during which time
she supervised, mentored and served as a role model for other employees.
Throughout her life she was a devoted Christian and an
active member of the Cradock United Methodist Church where she sang in the
choir, was active in numerous committees, taught Sunday School and served as
Superintendent for many years.
She was a tireless volunteer for many years at the Brentlox
Nursing Home and an active member of the Beazley Senior Citizens Center and the
Eastern Star, Victory Chapter 16. She had many friends of all ages, and
never hesitated to help a friend in need. Her favorite hobby was ceramics and
over the years she made and gave away many beautiful ceramic pieces to family
and friends. These pieces have since become treasured keepsakes for many.
Her greatest joy was her family and she traveled extensively
to be with them, support them as they raised their families, and impart her love
of the Bible and model unconditional love.
Mrs. Harris is survived by a son, Carroll Nelson Harris, Jr.
(Elaine) of Southport, N.C. and a daughter, Jewell Harris Thacher (Jim) of
Kennett Square. She is also survived by two sisters, Helen Shelton Thompson of
Axton, Va. and Mamie Shelton McKee of Memphis, Tenn.; one brother, Edwin
Shelton (Bonnie) of Midlothian, Va.; three granddaughters, Kimberly Harris
Drummonds of Chesterfield, Va., Lindsey Thacher Michelini (Jay) of Evanston,
Ill., and Shannon Thacher Crawford (Robert) of Falls Church, Va. and one
grandson, Carroll Nelson Harris III (Deb) of McCordsville, In.; three
great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons.
A private memorial service will be held this week at Linden
Hall. In addition, a Celebration of Life service to be held in Portsmouth, Va.
is being planned for a later time.
In death, as in her life, she sought ways to help others. In
the hope of helping others, she donated her body to the Humanity Gifts Registry
of Philadelphia for anatomical study and research. It was her hope that
anatomical study would lead to a cure for lupus and osteoporosis so that others
would not have to suffer as she did in her last years.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to The Lupus
Foundation of America at www.lupus.org
or the National Osteoporosis Foundation at www.nof.org.
Arrangements by the Kuzo
& Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett Square.
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