February 3, 2012

Mrs. Ruth E. Harris, 74, of 1114 Portsmouth Blvd., entered into eternal rest on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. She was born to the late Margaret Claiborne and the late Joseph Parrish Sr. She was married to the late Alvester Harris Sr.

She was previously employed by Maryview Hospital as a housekeeper, was an employee of Smithfield Packing for ten years and was a private duty CNA at Hillpointe Nursing Facility for six years.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Lee Parrish, and a sister, Alice Wilson.

Ruth leaves to cherish her loving memory, six sons, Joseph Harris (Eloise), Alvester Harris Jr., Dennis Harris (Sandra), Melvin Harris, Wayne Harris and Anthony Harris (Suzette); two daughters, Sandra Wiggins and Daphne Dirtion (Steward Sr.); six brothers, John Parrish Sr. (Virginia), William Parrish, Larry Parrish Sr. (Carolyn), Willie Parrish, Raymond Parrish (Gwendolyn) and Joseph Parrish (Barbara); three sisters, Virginia Lewis, Mary Ann Brock and Jacqueline Claiborne; 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren and many family and friends.

A wake service will take place at T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home, Inc. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. The family will receive guests at the residence at all other times. A celebration of life service will take place on Thursday, Feb. 9, at noon, at Faith Temple Ministries (Apostolic), 476 Wellons St., Suffolk, officiated by Elder Dwayne B. Strothers, and she will be laid to rest at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens.

Expressions of sympathy, condolences and flowers may be extended to the family at www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com.