Willie Mae (Smith) Harris

In sweet peace, surrounded by her loving and devoted family, Mrs. Willie Smith Harris, was called to her Heavenly Home, Tuesday, September 4, 2018. Born November 16,1925 in Cheraw, South Carolina, Willie was the daughter of the late Walter “Golf” and Belle Short Smith. We were so blessed to have shared her life for so many years. She fought a good fight, finished her course and kept the faith. And now we say, “Good night to Our Beloved, May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest”.   

Willie was educated in the Stanly County public schools and graduated from West Badin High School, Badin, North Carolina.  She furthered her education at Stanly Community College where she received her Associates of Business degree. After many years of employment from Federal Pacific Electric Corporation, K-Mart and Walmart Stores, Incorporated, Willie retired.

Never idle, she was civic and community oriented-always looking to assist others. She volunteered with Stanly Regional Hospital for over twenty-six years; visited the sick at Forrest Oakes Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Woodhaven Assisted Living. For many years, Willie wrote a Harris Township news column for the Stanly News and Press, Albemarle. She was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star-Chapter 457.

Willie was involved and dedicated to her church and family. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and joined St. Luke Church of the Living Word, Badin, at an early age. There she sang in the church choir, where she served as pianist for many years; Sunday school teacher, and financial secretary of the church. She was a Believer who was an avid student of the Holy Bible. In her leisure, she enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble with her sisters and traveling.

She has joined others in a place we are told is perfect in every way. She was welcomed by her Heavenly Father and members of her family. Family members who preceded her in death are: her son, William Harold “Dute” Allen; brother, Walter Smith, Jr.; sisters: Geraldine Turner, Dr. Juanita (Terry) Conward, and Jeanette Davis.

A legacy of love, devotion and fond memories are left to those who survive. They are: three sons: James W. (Evelyn) Floyd, Conroe, Texas, Donald D. (Marilyn) Floyd, Bellingham, Massachusetts, and Johnnie H. (Hiawatha) Harris, Jr., Charlotte; three daughters: Billie A. (Roger) Morgan, Chesapeake, Virginia, Johnnie M. Harris, Badin, and Gwendolyn L. Harris, Albemarle;17 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; 13 great great-grandchildren; three sisters: Marguerite “Helen” Pankey, New London, North Carolina, Elizabeth “Betty” Christian, Badin, and Walillian (Alfonza) Tyson, Cheshire, Connecticut; two special cousins: Eula Lewis and Deloris Smith; two special daughters, Karen Kendall and Francine Ray ;  a host of nieces, nephews,  other relatives and friends.

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