Obituary

Ella Katherine Harris, 18, of Chesterfield, VA went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 5, 2023.  She was born on December 13, 2004 to Garry Walton and Andrea Ralston Harris. Ella is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather William A. Ralston. Family is one of the most cherished things in life. Our love for one another grounds us and gives us a foundation upon which we build our lives.  Our foundation lost one of its cornerstones on October 5, 2023. Our only daughter, sister, granddaughter, and niece, Ella Katherine Harris, left us before the rest of the world had a chance to discover the depth of her heart and talent. Ella loved and was most loved by her family and best friends, Kiran and Graham. Ella loved growing up swimming for the Stoney Glen swim team and Quest and played softball for CC Wells for years. She was quick to share her creativity in art, crafts, and baking with others. Ella was always experimenting, learning new things like making origami cranes by the hundreds. She would leave them everywhere for us to find. She made bracelets during her last month for her family and friends, the nurses, doctors, and the children at VCU Children’s Hospital. She taught herself to crochet and her mom is comforted by wrapping up in her favorite blanket that Ella made. She loved music. She played violin and bass guitar, loved live music and going to concerts with her mom and friends.  Ella aspired to own a bakery and her family enjoyed the fruits of her labor as she practiced at home. Ella was so strong; she didn’t complain about her condition, didn’t speak of fear, she remained optimistic, and worried more about her family than herself during her illness. Ella graduated from Thomas Dale High School and was to begin classes at VCU this year. She is survived by her beloved parents Garry and Andrea; brothers, Jake and Nicholas; grandparents Gary and Trudy Harris, grandmother Katherine Ralston; uncle David Ralston, great aunts Marion Burkey and Phyllis Williamson, and her cousins and pets. She especially loved her oncologist, Dr. India Sisler and her team, child-life specialist Katie; social worker Anna, and pharmacist Cady. Ella was exactly where she wanted to be during her final days at home with her family, pets, and the things that were most comforting to her such as the memories, sounds, and smells of home. She was one of a kind and had yet to make her full contribution to this world, which without doubt would have been meaningful and generous.  Ella will continue to live in our hearts and memories, until we are reunited. Ella and her mom’s dream was to combine both of their passions and open a non-profit bakery that employs people with special needs. Please consider making a donation to our future nonprofit to honor Ella. Plans are in progress to open a business that will include these dreams in Ella’s name. More information will be provided once the nonprofit is established. A life celebration will be held at a later date.