Emcie D. Harris

Emcie D. Harris CHESAPEAKE - Emcie Dodson Harris, 93, passed away peacefully with loved ones at her bedside March, 6, 2009. Emcie was a kind, gentle, loving Christian who will be greatly missed. A Chesapeake resident since 1955, Emcie was born in Halifax County, Virginia, to Hattie and Percy Dodson. One of 14 children, she grew up on a farm, leaving school in the 8th grade in order to take care of her younger siblings after the death of their mother. Emcie had been taking care of everyone around her ever since. She was a talented cook, quilter and homemaker who loved sewing and creating handmade gifts for friends, family and church fundraisers. Emcie had a beautiful and unique alto singing voice that she put to good use from a very young age at church and at family gatherings. She was a member of Chesapeake Avenue United Methodist Church and the Mamiee Shaw Bray Circle. She retired from JCPenney after helping to open and close the store in downtown Norfolk. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Sam "Tillie" Harris; daughter, Joan "Zennie" Riggs; and numerous brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Aylett Cullipher and son-in-law, Bobby Cullipher of Chesapeake; her grandchildren, Sterling Riggs and wife Beth of Chesapeake, Chris Riggs and wife Sally of Chesapeake, Erin and husband Mike Ruane of Virginia Beach; and seven great-grandchildren, Chad and his wife Brandi of Moyock, N.C., Kyle Riggs of Chesapeake, Joseph, Ashley and Christian "Tillie" Riggs of Chesapeake and Anna and Sadie Ruane of Virginia Beach. Emcie is also survived by her son-in-law, Jimmy Riggs of Chesapeake; siblings, Cornelia Baker of Randolph, Va., Lacy Dodson of Chase City, Md., and Alberteen Mudd and Joyce Talley of La Plata, Md.; and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Phenix, Va. The Rev. Elton McDowell will officiate. The viewing will begin today with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Francis Gay Chapel of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, 1146 Rodgers St., Chesapeake. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mamiee Shaw Bray Circle, c/o Chesapeake Avenue United Methodist Church, 1200 Chesapeake Ave., Chesapeake, VA 23324. Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.omanfh.com.