Obituaries

Mr. Edwin Haskins Harris, Jr.

Mr. Edwin Haskins Harris, Jr., 87, of Clarksville, VA, fell asleep in Christ on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, after a year-long struggle with heart and lung disease. Ed was a lifelong member of the Berea Christadelphian Chapel in North View, VA, where he was active in service for over 47 years, having been baptized into the saving name of Jesus in July 1976. Ed was born on August 29, 1936, raised in South Hill, VA, and lived the majority of his life in Mecklenburg County. He was a 1957 Phi Kappa Phi Honors graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering. After working for several years in California, he returned to South Hill where he began his career as a Programmer Analyst with Burlington Industries in 1961. His work took him to Greensboro, NC, for five years after which he married his beloved wife, Eileen, and settled in Clarksville, VA, in April 1969, where they raised their two children. Ed continued his career in computer programming with Burlington and earned his MBA from Virginia Tech in 1993, graduating alongside his son, Chuck, that spring. He retired after 39 years of distinguished service to the same company in February 2000. In his retirement he treasured his time to share his lifelong love of trains, both real and model, with all of his grandchildren. Ed was a kind and generous soul who always put the needs of others above his own and made his faith and family his top priority throughout his life. His dogged determination to do the right thing along with his genuine care and concern for everyone he met provided a powerful example to all who knew him. He will always be remembered as a peacemaker and a truly great man. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Haskins Harris and Lila Boswell Harris; his brother, Robert Leon Harris; and his devoted wife of 53 years, Eileen Cordle Harris. He is survived by their two children, Mary Kyle H. Saunders (Harris) of Toano, VA, and Charles E. Harris (Nicole) of North Chesterfield, VA; six grandchildren, Joseph H. Saunders, Thomas J. Saunders, Rachel N. Harris, Charles E. Harris, Jr., Emily J. Harris and Daniel A. Harris; one sister, Alice H. Horton of Grimsby, Ontario; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and life-long friends. A memorial service will be held at Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home in South Hill, VA, on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, followed immediately by the funeral service at 2:00 PM in the funeral home chapel and burial at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Virginia Christadelphian Youth Camp (c/o Thom Crabtree, 6029 Spinnaker Cove Court, Suffolk, VA 23435-3170) or the charity of your choice. Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Harris family. Online condolences may be sent through their website, www.crowderhitecrews.com. Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Harris family.