Mrs. Gatha Bowling Harris

Mrs. Gatha Bowling Harris, age 97 of Stuart went home to be with the Lord and her husband on March 28, 2016. She was born in Patrick County on May 16, 1918 to the late Okla Bowling and Velma Belcher Bowling. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Harris was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Richard G. Harris; an infant great-grandson, Richard James Ellis; two brothers, Alvis Bowling and wife, Garnet, Johnnie Bowling and wife, Opal; a sister-in-law, Lelia Wade Fain and husbands, Harman Wade and Roy Fain; a son-in-law, Bruce Gunter; and a nephew, Hansel Bowling. She loved cooking for her family and neighbors. She also loved to quilt and sew, and was a lifetime member of the Buffalo Ridge Homemakers Club where she was voted Mother of the year. She was also a member of the Woolwine Volunteer fire Department Women’s Auxiliary for many years. She retired from Woolwine United Elastic Plant, and was a member of Sycamore Baptist Church. She will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren and all those that loved her.

Mrs. Harris is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Richard Maynard and Donna Harris of Spotsylvania; five daughters, Thelma Gunter Boothe and husband, Donald, Lucille Stone and husband, Bernard, Ruby McAlexander and husband, Glen, all of Stuart, Judy Jamison and husband, John of Martinsville, Betty Ellis and husband, Jim of Wirtz; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; nine loving nieces and nephews and their spouses and families; and a special caregiver, Sharon AldDoost.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with Pastor Wayne Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Jacks Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. If desired, memorials may be made to Smith River Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 122, Woolwine, Virginia 24185 or to Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department, 9957 Woolwine Hwy., Woolwine, Virginia 24185. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.