Phillip Dee Harris

Phillip Dee Harris, 60, of Elliston, loving father, grandfather, brother, and son, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Tuesday, December 21, 2021. Phillip was born on June 29, 1961, in Roanoke, Virginia, and later attended Glenvar High School where he met his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Rita Bailey Harris.

Phillip was a man of few words, but the love he had for his family was unconditional. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and kayaking. The serenity and peace of being outdoors was not just a passion for Phillip, but rather a way of life.

Phillip started working at the age of 18 for Koppers, Inc., in Salem, where he proudly worked for over 37 years. After becoming fully disabled in 2016, he learned to slow down and enjoy life. If you were to ask him what he enjoyed doing since early retirement, he would tell you nothing. He did enjoy watching TV and spending time with his wife, kids, grandkids, and his precious dog, Waylon, who he loved very much.

Those left to treasure Phillip’s memory are his wife, Rita Bailey Harris; beloved children, Natasha (Billy) Daugherty, Jamie (Jennifer) Harris, and Phillip (Whitney) Harris; Grandchildren, Emily (Ricky) Sheppard, William Daugherty, Kate (Johnathan) Lendley, Addison Harris, and Abigail (Shortcake) Harris; great-grandson, Ben Lendley; mother, Thelma Harris; father, Glenn (Darlene) Harris; sisters, Linda Mech, Martha (Doug) Morgan, stepsister, Brenda (Hoke) Jones; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family offers their sincerest gratitude to special cousin, Steve (Donna) Young for always being like a brother to Phillip.

The family will welcome friends on Sunday, December 26, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, A service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Monday, December 27, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with Debbie Davis officiating.