ELM CITY – Margaret Elaine Whitley Harris, age 69, died Monday, March 18, 2013 at Wilson Medical Center, Wilson, NC.

Mrs. Harris was born in Como, in Hertford County, on November 5, 1943, a daughter of the late Sadie Mae Burbage and R. Gilbert Whitley.  She was a graduate of Murfreesboro High School and East Carolina University where she earned her teacher’s degree.  Elaine taught school in ElmCity, Wilson County Schools for fifteen years.  Following her teaching she was Associate Director and Director of the Child Nutrition Programs for Wilson County Schools for another 15 years, serving the Wilson County School system for 30 years.  She was an active member of Elm City Baptist Church and also attended and participated in Buckhorn Baptist Church activities when she was in Como.

Besides her parents, Elaine was predeceased by her brother, R.O. “Dick” Whitley.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Willie T. Harris, Jr. of the home; a sister-in-law, Crystal L. Whitley of Murfreesboro; her nieces, Sharon Whitley Isley of Murfreesboro, Sandra Whitley Banks and husband, Allan, of Chesapeake, VA, Kathy Whitley Thompson and husband, Lee, of Murfreesboro, and Kelli Whitley of Troy, NC; her great nieces and nephews, Jordan Isley, Kayla Oliver and husband, Trey, Blake Isley, Logan Banks and wife, Melissa, Hunter Banks, Allie Banks, Kaitlyn Elaine Thompson and Danielle Thompson; and a great great nephew, Landon Oliver.

A celebration of life service will be conducted on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at BuckhornBaptistChurch with the Rev. Sean Gallagher and the Rev. Gene Wells officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service in Ahoskie from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and other times at Elaine and Willie’s home in Como.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 3131 RDU Center Drive, Suite 100, Morrisville, NC, 27560 or the American Cancer Society, 930 Wellness Drive #B, Greenville, NC, 27834.

Family and friends may send condolences and sign the online guestbook by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.