Obituaries

Vida Francis Harris, 91, of Lincolnton and Raleigh, died Wednesday, August 22.     A devoted church member, active businesswoman, loving mother and grandmother, Vida was blessed by her family’s presence to her final hours.     Services will be held at Warlick Funeral Home Chapel in Lincolnton on Sunday, August 26, at 3 p.m.   Family members will greet friends from 2-2:45 at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Lincolnton.

Mrs. Harris was born August 4, 1921, to William Bartell Francis and Olivia Brittle Francis in Conway, North Carolina.     She grew up as a member of Conway Baptist Church, and was graduated from Salisbury Business College in Kannapolis.   During World War II, she met and married her life-long partner Kemp Harris, of Catawba County, who preceded her in death in 1993.     Vida and Kemp were active members of Macedonia, Southside, Westport and First Baptist Churches of Lincoln County, and owned and operated Harris City Paint Store in Lincolnton from 1949 - 1985.

Mrs. Harris is survived by a daughter, Olivia Harris Fleming and her husband George of Raleigh; two grandchildren, Christianna Fleming Campbell and husband John of Raleigh, and John Alexander Fleming and wife Brooke of Denver, Colorado; three great-grandchildren, Caroline Leigh and Carter Thomas Campbell of Raleigh and Marin Reese Fleming of Denver; one sister, Verdie Francis Chitty of Ahoskie, N.C.; two nephews, Glenn Chitty and Ronnie Francis, and one niece, Cathy Sherman, on the Francis family side; a sister-in-law, Daphine Harris, and numerous nephews and nieces on the Harris side.  A special “son” and business colleague of the Harrises, Robert Ledford, preceded her in death.

In late September, a celebration of life service will be held in Raleigh.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 Robin Road, Lincolnton, NC 28092.