Lois Starling Harris

ROCKY MOUNT – Lois Catherine Starling Harris, age 91, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2024.  Born in Rocky Mount, NC on June 4, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Thomas M. Starling and Lula Inez Henley Starling.  She was also preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Horace Ray Harris, three brothers, Harold, Julian and Charles Starling; and two sisters, Dorothy Denson and Alice Tharrington.

Lois was a graduate of Rocky Mount High School, and later worked for the US Labor Department in Washington, D.C., as well as the ACL Railroad. She later moved to Hampton, Virginia and worked for the C&O Railroad. While in Virginia, Lois worked in the Children’s Ministry at Park View Church of God and loved singing with the adult choir. She was also a Cub Scout Den mother. She Later returned to her home of Elm City, NC, where her and Horace ran a restaurant for 18 years. They attended Sharpsburg Church of God and continued working in the children’s ministry. They later returned to their home church, Ridgecrest Worship Center, formerly, South Rocky Mount Church of God. While attending Ridgecrest Worship Center, she taught Sunday School as well as sang with the adult choir.

Left to cherish Lois’ memory is her daughter, Judieth Harris Garris, of Rocky Mount; her sons, Kelvin Brian Harris, and wife Deborah, of Pensacola, FL, Cliff Alan Harris, and wife Elizabeth, of Colorado Spring, Colorado, and Richard Dean Harris of Petersburg, VA; grandchildren, Thomas Harris, Charlie Harris, Jason Harris, and Michelle Strickland; great-grandchildren, Katie, David, Adrian and Anna; sisters, Glanda Pace, and Betty Clower; brother, James Carl Starling, and wife Edna; brother-in-law, Willie Thomas Harris, Jr.; and sister-in-law, Marian Mosley, and many special nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Lois’ life will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary of Ridgecrest Worship Center with Pastor Allan Gardner officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Elm City.  Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service in the Sanctuary of Ridgecrest Worship Center.

Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be made in Lois’ memory to Ridgecrest Worship Center Building Fund, 1120 West Mount Drive Rocky Mount, NC 27803.

Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.