SEVERN – Mr. Harold L. Garris, age 79 of Severn, died Friday, April 8, 2011 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, NC.

Mr. Garris was born August 23, 1931 in Northampton County, the son of the late Harry Garris and Hazel Woodard Garris. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Basil Garris.

Mr. Garris a member of the Severn Town Council for many years and a retired fireman with Severn Fire Department.  He worked for many years with Melvin Mann Sandpit and worked until the age of 75 with Severn Peanut Company.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and a good friend to all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Sue Jernigan Garris;

his daughters, Debbie Burke of Murfreesboro and Marie Forney and her husband, Steven, of Greensboro; his grandchildren, Ashley Etheridge and her husband, Jon, of Midlothian, VA, and Spencer Forney and Sydney Forney, both of Greensboro; a great grand daughter, Debra Grace Etheridge; his sister-in-law, Mary Lucy Garris; and two nephews, Larry Garris and Craig Garris.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 at Severn Baptist Church with the Rev. Brent Hobbs and the Rev. Tim Hogan officiating.  Burial will follow at Severn Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Massey Funeral Home in Jackson from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, April 11.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.haroldmasseyfuneralhome.com.