Janie Eileen Cordle Harris


Janie Eileen Cordle Harris, 85, of Clarksville, died Friday, July 29, 2022, after a grueling battle with Alzheimer’s disease, having lived an exemplary life of faith in the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.

Eileen was a faithful member and devoted servant of the Berea Christadelphian Chapel in North View, for 46 years, having been baptized into the saving name of Jesus in July 1976. Eileen was born on July 17, 1937, on her own mother’s birthday.

She began her educational journey early in life by learning to read on her own at a very young age before she started school. Eileen developed her many talents throughout her life, becoming adept in music, gardening, sewing and hand crafts, caring for pets and wild animals, as well as becoming a devoted wife, mother, friend and educator. She was a 1959 Phi Beta Kappa honors graduate of Westhampton College at the University of Richmond with a focus on a career in journalism. However, she found her true calling teaching high school journalism. She became a respected educator in many communities across Virginia, teaching journalism and high school English. Eileen ended her career of more than 30 years as an elementary school librarian, which may have been her greatest love.

She continued to share her love of learning after her retirement by volunteering at her local library and by tutoring adult GED students until they passed their GED exam to earn their high school diploma.

Sharing her love of learning was her greatest passion.

Eileen is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Edwin H. Harris Jr.; two children, Mary Kyle H. Saunders (Harris) of Toano, and Charles E. Harris (Nicole) of North Chesterfield, six grandchildren, Joseph H. Saunders, Thomas J. Saunders, Rachel N. Harris, Charles E. Harris Jr., Emily J. Harris and Daniel A. Harris; one sister, Phyllis C. Kirby of Aylett, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and life-long friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Richard Cordle and Janie Roberta Bowles Cordle, and her brother, Richard Carroll Cordle.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. at Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Virginia Christadelphian Youth Camp (c/o Thom Crabtree, 6029 Spinnaker Cove Court, Suffolk, VA 23435-3170), Operation Onesimus (c/o James Ross, 106 Middle Post Point, Chardon, OH 44024), the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or the Celiac Disease Foundation (www.celiac.org/donate/).

Online condolences may be sent to www.crowderhitecrews.com.
Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Harris family.

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