Charles Harris

Chalres Omer Harris Charles Omer Harris, 87, died on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born Oct. 11, 1922, in St. Paul, Va., to the late Dr. Charles O. Harris Sr. and Elizabeth Spurrier Harris. He graduated from William King High School in Abingdon, Va. He attended the University of Florida at Gainesville and graduated from Emory & Henry College, Emory, Va. He served four years in the U.S. Army during World War II and published a book, "Fire Mission", about his experiences in the service. He was employed as a veteran's advisor by the Virginia State Employment Service for six years and as a personnel manager for 35 years at Sperry-Unisys. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Bristol Tennessee, where he served as a deacon and an elder. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Ryan of Albuquerque, N.M., Virginia Morgan of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and Ann Willis of Port Charlotte, Fla. He is survived by his wife, Mary Nell Rhea Harris; daughter, Susan Lichtefeld and husband Daryl of Winston-Salem, N.C.; two grandchildren, Alex and Sarah Beth Lichtefeld of Winston-Salem; two sisters, Mildred Hilton and her husband Bruce, of Austin, Texas, and Luella Morgan of McLean, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 10 until 10:45 on Wednesday morning, Dec. 16, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church. The funeral service will follow with Dr. Gordon Turnbull officiating. A private committal service and interment will be held in Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles B. Moore, Floyd Wampler, Jim Carty, John Vann, Tom King and Bobby Rhea. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to First Presbyterian Church; or a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences and memories may be sent to and viewed at www.oakley-cook.com Mr. Harris and his family are in the care of Oakley Cook Funeral Home.