Obituary of Joseph Harris

Joseph McKinley Harris Sr., 92, of Roanoke, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 14, 2012. He was born on August 23, 1919, to the late Martin Luther and Lilla Palmer Harris. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Theurer Harris; son, Joseph McKinley Harris Jr.; sisters, Mildred H. Moore and Mary Virginia Harris; and brothers, Charles Monroe, Lester McDowell, and Lowell Thomas Harris. Many friends will remember him as the Parts Department Manager of Mitchell Motor Company and at Bridge Street Motors in Martinsville. Surviving are one sister, Elizabeth H. Showmaker, of Martinsville; one beloved niece and many nephews as well as many extended family members. Also surviving are his former wife, Ann Lewis Marshall, and her daughter, Diann Marshall Saint, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and a stepdaughter, Sondra Benidict Snow, of Charlottesville. He is also survived by his caregiver, who he loved like a son, Sidney Smith; and his adopted family, Martha and Cecil Guilliams, Bryant, Christy, Brayden and Leigha Taylor and Khenan Terry. The family would like to offer a special thanks to Doctors Amick and Nottingham; Joe's girlfriends in their office; the staff at the Hollins Kroger Store and Pharmacy; and to John and Renee Tatum for their many trips to Roanoke to visit with him. Flowers will be accepted and appreciated, or memorials may be made to First Church of God, 5008 Hildebrand Roanoke, Roanoke, VA 24012. The family will receive friends in Roanoke from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, August 17, 2012, at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road. Following the visitation in Roanoke the remains will be moved to Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home, 103, Clearview Drive, Martinsville, Va., where the family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2012. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Roselawn Chapel. Interment will follow in Roselawn Burial Park. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home, 540-366-0707.