Irene Vaugh Harris

Irene Vaughn Harris, 95, of Floyd, went home to be with her Lord and Savior February 6, 2015.  She was born September 17, 1919 in Willis, VA., To Sol J. and Dora Harman Vaughn.  She is preceded in death by her loving husband Junior M. “Pete” Harris; son, Carl Edward Harris; sisters, Vada Hylton and Husband Unice and her twin sister Pauline “Polly” Childress and husband Brian; brothers Garver, Harman and Leroy Vaughn.

She is survived by daughter Janet Elree Slusher and mate Howard Meredith;  son Maurice Glen Harris and wife Linda; grandchildren, Sherry Yopp, Lora Mullins and husband Brad, Jason Slusher and wife Tonya and Scott Harris; great-grandchildren, Conner Cox, Chevy Cox, Acacia Freeman, Tala Maya  Freeman, Rhiannon Mullins, Joshua Slusher, Matthew Slusher, and Alyssa Harris. Also several sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

In her earlier years she operated Harris Grocery in the Buffalo Mt. area and later she worked in the apparel factory’s in Floyd, for many years.

Miss Irene, as she was known by many, never met a stranger and befriended all.  She was known around the country and Floyd County for her music playing.  She taught herself to play guitar and harmonica at the same time, at a very young age.  She also could play mandolin, autoharp, and piano.  Musicians from far and near came to her store on Friday and Saturday nights to jam and play with her in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  When the Cockram’s Store (now Floyd Country Store) started having music jams, she felt right at home playing there as she did in her store in the Buffalo Mt. area.

From the Country Store in Floyd, she would welcome and host musicians and friends alike to her home in town.  Some were nationally known such as Ronni Stoneman (the ironing board lady on Hee-Haw) from Nashville, Tennessee, the wife of legendary Charlie Waller and The Country Gentlemen band.

She was loved dearly by her family and a multitude of friends.  She loved her Lord and Savior and took her children, along with her husband, to the rock churches built by the Rev. Bob Childress.  Her twin sisters husband, Rev Brain Childress preached and sometimes she would go to as many as three or four different churches in one Sunday.

Her loving smiles and hugs will be missed dearly by her family and friends but Heaven will be gaining a new musician to the Angel band.

Funeral services will be held 2pm Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Maberry Funeral Home with  Rev. S.G. Bolt and Pastor Roy Turpin officiating.   Interment will be at Jacksonville Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5pm-7pm  Saturday, February 7, 2015.