Colista Eloise Harris

Colista Eloise Lewis Harris, of Marion, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Mission Hospital from complications related to heart surgery.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Freddy Jayson Harris and her children: Hilary Seagle and husband, Russ, of Cullowhee, Paige Harris Sink of Cullowhee, and Ric Harris and wife, Hollie, of Fletcher.  She was “CoCo” to her grandchildren Madeline Seagle of New York City; Abigail Seagle of Iowa City; and Zane Anderson Sink, Zeb Harris Sink and Zeke Wilson Sink of Cullowhee.  She leaves a brother, John Ronda Lewis, Jr, and wife, Linda, of Elkmont, AL; a sister, Mary Katie Lewis Jones, of Greensboro; and a brother-in-law, Zane Harris of Marion. She was a beloved aunt to Shannon Jones Hanvey and Steven Jones of North Carolina; and Liana Lewis Carter and Jeremy Lewis of Alabama.

She was born in Alabama on November 19, 1945 to the late John Ronda Lewis, Sr. and Madeline “Molly” Stinnett Lewis, but grew up in the Bethlehem community of Old Fort. She was a 1963 graduate of Old Fort High, attended David Lipscomb University in Nashville and trained as a certified medical assistant at Career Academy in Washington, D.C., and later worked at Old Fort Medical Clinic and McDowell Family Medicine.

She was a lifelong member of the Marion Church of Christ where she taught children’s bible classes for many years.  She served as a PTO volunteer and officer when her children attended Pleasant Gardens Elementary School. 

A twenty-seven-year survivor of cancer, she claimed she was a walking miracle and was active in Hugs for Life support group and volunteered with Relay for Life and Camp Bluebird, an adult retreat for cancer patients and survivors.  She was a fan of college football and whatever activity or sport her children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews were involved in. 

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service in Marion with Will T. Winchester and Russ Seagle officiating.  Interment will follow at McDowell Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., prior to the service, at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in Colista’s memory are asked to consider, the American Cancer Society, 20 Executive Park, Building 1, Asheville, North Carolina 28801 or by visiting www.cancer.org.