By Staff
Lucy Mae Lilley Harris, 88, passed on to glory at the James River Convalescent Center (JRCC) on Thursday, July 19, 2007. Born on May 10, 1919 in Washington, North Carolina, Mrs. Harris was the daughter of Joseph Jordan Lilley and Pearl Swanner Lilley.
She was a resident of Newport News for over 66 years and a community leader in numerous clubs and organizations. Some of these organizations include Parkview Elementary School PTA, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Warwick Woman’s Club, and Christian Women’s Club.
She was an accomplished pianist who entertained us all with her talent, played at the theater, and also taught piano for many years. She was an active member of Hilton Christian Church and sang in the choir. She also served as secretary and treasurer of the Christian Women’s Fellowship. As volunteers with Youth for Christ, Mrs. Harris and her husband, Jesse Randolph Harris, were selected Volunteers of the Year in 1982. Mrs. Harris, a breast cancer survivor, was also a volunteer with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
She and her husband partnered in several businesses including Mister Softee, Charles Chips, and the local division of the Dr Pepper Bottling Company.
Mrs. Harris was preceded in death by her husband Jesse Randolph Harris, daughter Mary Lou Harris Musser, son-in-law Donald Wayne Hill, and grandson Jeffrey Wayne Hill. She is survived by her brother, Joseph Jordan Lilley of Santa Rosa, CA, her son, J.R. Harris, Jr. and his wife Angie of Charlotte, NC, her daughter, Patti Anne Harris Hill of Annandale, VA, her son-in-law John (Jay) Musser, eleven grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren and long time roommate at JRCC, Annie Mae Harper.
Mrs. Harris will be remembered by her family as Mommie Mommie/Grum, and by the community as a kind, loving woman who, as her final gift, donated her body to science.
A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, July 29th at 2 p.m. at Hilton Christian Church, followed by a reception and visitation with the family. Memorials may be made to Hilton Christian Church Memorial Fund, 100 James River Drive, Newport News, VA 23601 in memory of Lucy Mae Harris.
Paid Obituary