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"How is it that the life of the party is no longer at the party?"
Ashleigh Harris was born September 24, 1982 to Brenda Liggon Barnett and the late James Willard Harris, Jr, in Lynchburg, VA. Ashleigh departed this life early Monday morning, April 28, 2025. Ashleigh wore many hats, she was a daughter, sister, auntie, life partner, step mom, dog mom and so much more. While the world is less bright without her laugh, her attitudes, and her fiercely loving heart, we can honestly say she left behind a lasting impact.
With an intense love for family, she was our shield, our comic relief, a listening ear, she was the life of the party and the duct tape that held the family together. With hugs, sometimes with threats, and random phone calls, her personality was impossible to ignore. Her character was undeniable and spoke volumes.
In addition to her father, those who have gone before her include her bonus dad (Estrello Barnett), maternal grandparents (James and Margie Liggon), her paternal grandparents (Raymond and Essie Harris), her bonus grandparents (Homer and Lecie Barnett), and her beloved cousin, “her Duckie” Roger Lee Johnson, Jr. Ashleigh and Duckie were locked in for life, and now they will spend eternity together. We can hear him now, “ Mane… What you doing up here, Cuz?” While she didn’t have any children of her own, she was a auntie-mother-cousin in love to many, just to name a few, Duckie’s girls, their children and her daughter in love, Courtney.
Among the many left to cherish her memory is her partner, in her words “her man, her mann, her mannn” Boog, Gary Calloway, and daughter TeTe (Telaina). She also leaves behind her understanding mom, Brenda Barnett, her two sisters Tamela Harris- Rouff (Sam) and Kelsey Barnett. A cherished father and mother in love, Uzziel & Robin Wilson. She also leaves behind her one and only niece, Diamond Lawing, her “Bestest Boy”, Xavier Lawing, her “Superstar” Tre Lawing and her “baby” Kingston Rouff, two half siblings, a tribe of aunties, uncles, cousins, her regulars, and a community of friends: including Cassondra, Tauri, Toya and “all of her sista’s friends.” She touched so many lives in so many ways.
Just to name a few nicknames: Ashcakes, Ole lady, Bestfriend, Snacks or Ashy Ashleigh, if you ever needed her for anything—advice, a shoulder, an accomplice, a well-timed eyeroll, or just someone to cry with—she was there, no questions asked and no judgments. Most importantly, make no mistake, she was the bodyguard for everyone in her circle. She was the wild one. The dramatic one. The rowdy one. The surely-crazy-but-in-a-good-way one. Ashleigh lived loud and loved even louder. There certainly aren't enough words to truly describe her. Behind the sass and chaos was a woman with deep faith and an ever growing relationship with God.
We’ll miss her laugh, her random late-night phone calls, her advice, her hugs, her dancing, and her beautiful heart, but we know she’s at peace now. In her honor, love your people a little harder, laugh a little louder, extend grace, and never be afraid to bring both prayer and party to the table. That’s what she did best.
Love you, later.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, May 2, 2025 at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg Chapel, at 4:30 P.M.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
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