Gladys Viola Painter Harris

Gladys Viola Painter Harris, 91, widow of Claude W. Harris of Greenville went peacefully to be with the Lord at home on April 10, 2013.

She had her devoted caretaker, best friend and daughter-in-law Jean, by her side.

She was also lovingly cared for by Cecelia, Christine and Jennifer.

She was born in Lofton, the eldest daughter of Myrtle and Charles Painter.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Judith Claudia Harris, a son-in-law, Danny Almarode and a great grandson Nathaniel Almarode.

She is survived by three children, Louale Almarode, Larry Harris and his wife Jean all of Greenville, and Becky Guynn of Dunwoody, Georgia.

She was blessed with seven grandchildren, Chris (Sandy) Harris, Rodney Harris of Greenville, Robyn (Douglas) Mitchell of Perrysburg, Ohio, Renee (Butch) Rohrbaugh of Greenville, Michael (Jen) Guynn of Dunwoody, Georgia, Derek (Cindy) Almarode of Staunton, Shawn (Jay) Eckard of Cartersville, Georgia.

Her 13 great grandchildren were special to her and a light in her life, Skylar, Hannah and Cody Harris, Cameron, Jacob and Madison Mitchell, Peyton Rohrbaugh, Grace, Caroline and Henry Guynn, Bevin and Mitchell Eckard and Ashlyn Almarode.

Gladys was a lifelong member of Pines Chapel Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir for 65 years and was active in the Women of the Church and taught Sunday School and Bible School for years.

She was also a member of the Raphine VFW Women’s Auxiliary.

Granny, as she was lovingly called by most, who knew her, loved her flower garden and was a wonderful seamstress who enjoyed making and giving her creations to others.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers and a sister, Elwood and Raymond Painter and Madeline Harris.

She is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Weeks, brothers Philip and Doug Painter, two sisters-in-law, Lorean Painter and Virginia Painter, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 4:00 PM this evening, Saturday, April 13, 2014 at Pines Chapel Presbyterian Church by Pastor Isca Mitchell. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be David and Danny Grimm, Danny Myrtle, Eddie Sensabaugh, Scott Fielding and Derek Alamrode.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren and friends attending the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pines Chapel Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 3204 Cold Springs Road Greenville, Va. 24440.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.