Abingdon, Virginia
Margaret Ann Harris went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 15, 2024. She loved the Lord and pursued studying His word with a fervent passion. Her love for Christ touched many lives through her various ministries. Children's ministry was probably her favorite, and she poured her heart into it. She captivated young minds with her simple yet powerful approach to teaching scripture. She established a puppeteer ministry for kids, using it to spread the gospel message in the community. ‘The Little Brown Church’ and ‘Charlie the Farmer' along with the beloved puppet characters, became fixtures at events over the years like the Tobacco Festival (now known as the Washington County Fair) and local parades.
She was the daughter of the late Charles W. Harris, Sr. and Pearl Orfield Harris.
She graduated from Johnston Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Abingdon, Virginia, and also from Charity School of Anesthesia in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and provided tutoring to many nursing students from Virginia Highlands Community College who were struggling to pass their classes. Her tutoring included using hand-drawn anatomical pictures and even an old Monopoly car token to 'drive' the circulatory system.
As a highly intelligent and creative individual, she had a knack for turning ordinary items into something extraordinary. For instance, she once made three-dimensional dolls using only the perforated edges from old dot matrix printer paper. She never let anything go to waste which fueled her pack rat tendencies. We teased her endlessly for it, but we were grateful when we needed some scrap of something, and you better believe she knew just where she had stored it. She once handmade giant Raggy Ann and Andy dolls for Dollywood.
She excelled at the art of ingenuity often surprising us with what she used to hold things together or make them work.
Some of her favorite things included cheese, overripe bananas, one particular pair of shoes of which she had multiple pairs, drinking tea, Billy Graham, listening to Paul Harvey, watching TV (especially Andy Griffith), and reading Newsweek magazines. At family functions she will be remembered for her delicious homemade rolls.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two sisters, Ruby H. Vestal and Stella H. Price, as well as two brothers, Lewis R. Harris and Charles W. Harris, Jr.
She is survived by her two sisters, Mary H. Whitley and husband, Bob, and Lorena H. Bolling and husband, Bobby; brother-in-law, James G. Vestal; sister-in-law, Marie Harris, all of Abingdon, Virginia, and several nieces and nephews. In addition, she leaves behind life-long friends Dorothy Deboard and Mark Barrett. Her great niece, Mackinley Ottinger, held an extra special place in her heart and to whom she was affectionately known as 'My Mar-get.'
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon, Virginia at 11:00 AM with Pastor Darrell Watson officiating. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:45 AM.
In lieu of flowers, per Margaret Ann's request, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Frost Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to be serving the family of Ms. Harris
Sorry to hear about my cousins passing,what a great loving person Margaret was.
Sheriff Blake Andis and the Members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office would like to express their sympathy in the death of Margaret Harris. If our Sheriff’s Office can be of assistance to you during your time of sadness, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sheriff Andis and Members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office