Peggy Harris

Margaret Pitman Harris ( Peggy, Mama, YaYa ) died Thursday, January 19 after a sudden illness.  She began her long and remarkable life in Atlanta, GA on March 29, 1932. In elementary school Peggy was frequently scolded for skipping through the halls by the evil Mrs. Sherrah who attempted to dim the light of this teeny, curly haired nymph. She failed miserably. In high school Peggy first heard of the life altering thing called a Georgia Tech man, ( as opposed to a Georgia Boy) and set her sights on finding one.  

On September 14, 1951 she married Roy Hartley Harris and to say they lived happily ever after is an understatement of immense proportion.  The day after that happy event, 19 year old Peggy moved to New York City so that Roy could get his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. In the five years they were there, Peggy only tolerated the allure of The Big Apple because Roy was there. Their two children Kathy and Audrey were born there-14 months apart -to the horror of her prim and proper Mama, and she told them repeatedly “Dahlings, ( Peggy nevah pronounced an “r” in her entire life) don’t you worry about being born in Hell’s Kitchen! The moment you were born we registered you at the Confederate Consulate”.  Kathy was 10 before she found out there was no such place. 

Roy and Peggy moved to Burlington, NC in 1956 and except for a short stint in Winston Salem, lived there the rest of their 71 year marriage. Peggy was active in several groups in the area- The Jr. Women’s  Club, the UMW at Front Street Methodist, the Alter Guild at Front Street and the Shoe and Slipper Dance Club where she and Roy rarely left the dance floor.  Peggy was happiest, though, when she was at home with her girls or sitting in front of her sewing machine. Peggy was a creative genius in all things involving a needle-sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, tatting, and quilting. Her wardrobe was legendary as were her daughters’ and the family pony’s for whom she created a sequin ladened parade serape. Peggy taught quilting for years at Alamance Community College and wrote and self published two books on the subject. 

Peggy and Roy’s social circles always involved a sports theme-due to his-not necessarily hers-rabid interest in sports. There was The Golf Group, The Tennis Group, and The ( ski) Mountain Group. Peggy participated in sports while Roy excelled in them. Peggy’s mantra was always to “DRESS the sport and TALK a good game”. 

In the early 1980’s Peggy’s life and focus would change completely when she became a grandmother. She had a dear friend who was Greek and she heard that woman’s grandchildren  call her YiaYai and proclaimed that would be her grandmother title. It mattered not a whit to Peggy that she was not Greek OR that her misspelling of “YaYa” might expose that untruth. So YaYa she became. Grandmother was Peggy’s best role. She and Roy attended every event their 3 grandchildren ever participated in-ball games, horse shows, dance recitals, birthday parties, graduations—they were there—smiling, cheering, consoling, and encouraging…they were ever present and dressed in appropriate school or team colors much of the time.  The fun only multiplied when the Great-grands (5) arrived. Although  distance prevented as active a physical presence, The Greats are equally aware that YaYa and Daddy Roy are the Top of the Universe. 

And so, Peggy Harris has entered into Heaven -that fact is indisputable because for all her well dressed, fancy, fun filled life she has never lost her focus on Jesus Christ. She and Roy were front and center at Front Street UMC every Sunday. She taught 5th grade Sunday School for years. She directed countless weddings down that long aisle and she sat in those pews beside her beloved Roy who reached for her hand every single time they bowed their heads in prayer. For 71 years, they have begun and ended every day praying for their family and friends and friends of friends.  “From Roy and Peggy’s lips to God’s ears” has been proven true on many an occasion. She was remarkable, fun, proper to a fault, (very) well dressed, adored by her family and loved by anybody who was fortunate enough to be in her light.  I’m sure she SKIPPED into Jesus’ arms yesterday and that he laughed when He saw her coming. 

In addition to her husband, Roy H. Harris of the home, Peggy is survived by her daughters, Kathy Harris Adams and her husband Kurt and Audrey Harris Blanding and her husband David; grandchildren, Samuel Humble and his wife Amy, Amy Humble Hart and Meghan Bowen Johnson and her husband Eric, and great-grandchildren, Haisley Humble, Mattingly Humble, Genevieve Hart, Evan Johnson and Anna Johnson.

Her memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Front Street United Methodist Church.  The family will greet friends immediately following the memorial service in the Heritage Room.

Memorials may be made to Front Street United Methodist Church, c/o General Budget, 136 South Fisher Street, Burlington, North Carolina 27215.

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