Vernon Thalous Harris

Vernon T. Harris, age 96 of Floyd, died Monday, October 27, 2008.

He was born to Clarence and Lura Alderman Harris on September 27, 1912 near Buffalo Mountain in Floyd County. He graduated from Willis High School and then worked at Auburn Automobile Company in Indiana fitting wood trim on the 1936 line of Cords and Auburns. He then returned to Floyd to purchase run a dry cleaning business, Harris Cleaners, which he and his wife operated until 1997. He was a charter member of the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department, the Ruritan Club, the Floyd Merchants’ Association and an organizing member of the Blue Sox, part of the 1950s Tri-County baseball league and a member of the Floyd Lions Club. He served on the town council and as mayor of Floyd for a total of 22 years and was a member and trustee of Floyd United Methodist Church. He and his wife loved to travel. Vernon was also known for his fine sense of humor, and he particularly liked to talk about his bottle collection, displayed in the shop.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Cornelia Thomas Harris; great granddaughter Annalia Meredith Wills; sisters, Mary Hylton and Geneva Simmons; and brother Freeman Harris. He is survived by daughters and son-in-law, Judy Duesberry, and Constance and John Mitchell; his grandchildren, Gina (Michael) Christian and Christie (Stephen) Wills; great-grandson, Jackson Thomas Wills; brothers, Russell Harris (Margurite), Wendell Harris ( LaNita); sister, Ruby Dickerson ( Calvin) and special family friend Juanita Dortch.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, October 31, 2008 at the Floyd United Methodist Church with Rev. Richard Gregory officiating. Interment will follow at Jacksonville Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 30, 2008 from 5-8 PM at Floyd United Methodist Church 417 East Main Street.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Floyd United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 55, Floyd VA 24091 or the Floyd Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 257, Floyd VA 24091 or the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 33, Floyd, VA 24091.