She was a member of the Drew County Home Extension Club and the United Methodist Women. Mrs. Oleta loved to cook, sew and quilt. When her health got to the point where she could not be as active in her church, she began her own ministries by cooking and sewing for others. She would make baby blankets to give away along with making scarf hats for women that were suffering from cancer.
She also had a soft spot for children as she always supported causes such as St. Judes Children's Hopsital. However, Mrs. Oleta's greatest love was her family. She deeply cherished raising her children and grandchildren along with providing a home for her hard working husband. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Bud, Zack, Loye and Fred McKeown, Neva Coose, Tassie Coose and Thelma Harper.
Survivors include her husband of seventy-one years, ExRay Harper of Rock Springs; four sons, Bobby Ray Harper and wife Renee of Glendale, Max Harper and wife Glenda of Camden, Mark Harper and wife Dennie of Monticello, and Warren Harper and wife Rhonda of Locust Bayou; three daughters, Judy Gibson and husband Sam of Warren, Joyce Lee of Rosebud, and Jenny Stone and husband Matt of Camden; seventeen grandchildren, Kim Harper, Chris Harper, Lillie Herring, Chad Gibson, Michele Jenkins, Melissa McCready, Melanie Burton, Hugh Harper, Mary Lambert, Matthew Harper, Adam Harper, Kelly Garner, Mason Stone, Hillary Stone, Daniel Harper, Bill Harper, and Nathen Harper; and thirty-six great grandchildren.
Condolences(50)
Sandra & Tommy Toole
Marshall, TX Monday, March 31, 2014 Dear Judy, we were so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for you and the family.KK Gibson Fletcher
Gillett, AR Wednesday, March 26, 2014 thoughts and prayers for peace and comfortGary Keaster
, FL Monday, March 24, 2014 June and I are very sorry to hear of the passing of Oleta. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.Frank Keaster
Orange Park, FL Monday, March 24, 2014 A sad "vaya con Dios" to my favorite cousin. May God in his infinite mercy comfort her magnificent family and her multitude of friends. Frank KeasterMaureen & George Depsky
Vilonia, AR Saturday, March 22, 2014 Dear XRay and. Family, Truly there is another angel in heaven now.. I hope that Ms. Oleta will get to.see my parents. I know the memories we have will live in our hearts always. It is hard to say goodbye but it is only for awhile. We loved and admired you both for all you accomplished in life. Praying for the familyMaureen & George Depsky
Vilonia, AR Saturday, March 22, 2014 Dear XRay and. Family, Truly there is another angel in heaven now.. I hope that Ms. Oleta will get to.see my parents. I know the memories we have will live in our hearts always. It is hard to say goodbye but it is only for awhile. We loved and admired you both for all you accomplished in life. Praying for the familyLinda James
Sherwood, AR Thursday, March 20, 2014 Joyce, I am praying for you and your family. I know how close you were to your mother. You know she is in heaven with our Heavenly Father.Scott McNeese
Cabot, AR Wednesday, March 19, 2014 I praise God for such a life as the life and legacy of Aunt Oleta. She graced each life she touched and was a Godly example for all who knew her. She is now resting with our Heavenly Father. Praise God for this certainty and may He continue to strengthen her friends and family as we honor her. May we be encouraged and uplifted by her life and example.Margie Chambers Irbe
Jonesboro, AR Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Mr. ExRay, and Bob, Judy, Joyce, Max, Mark, Jenny, Warren and all your families,My thoughts and prayers are with you. We are truly blessed with the loving memories of Ms. Oleta to treasure and keep in our hearts forever. May they comfort you in this time of grief.
Margie
Virginia Hill
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Joyce, I just learned yesterday of your mother's passing. My sympathies are with you and your loved ones.Reggie Gober Evans
McGehee, AR Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Judy, I just lost my dad in Nov and know what you are going though. My prayers are with you and your family for the days ahead. I remember your mother while going to school with you and she was one sweet lady. Love you, ReggieCarolyn Shockley Donaldson
Tillar, AR Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Mr. Harper and family,We are so sorry to hear about your mother. Our prayers
are with you in this time of sorrow. May God bless and
keep you in his comforting arms.
Larry and Carolyn Donaldson
Ab & Joyce Pevey
Monticello, AR Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Prayers and thoughts for the Harper family. We always enjoyed seeing Ms Oleta..Ab & Joyce Pevey
Monticello, AR Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Prayers and thoughts for the Harper family. We always enjoyed seeing Ms Oleta..Bill, Patty Tyler and Austin
Camden, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.Scotty Holderfield
Rison, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Bobby, Judy, and family members, Debbie and I are so sorry for your loss. May God's comfort and grace be with you in this time of sorrow.Scotty and Debbie
Marvin Norton
Monticello, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Mr. Xray, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.Gloria Hensley
Monticello, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 To the Harper Family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Mrs. Harper. Sending prayers to all. Thinking of you at this time.Amy Coose-Carr
St. Charles, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Many memories I have of visiting Uncle ExRay and Aunt Oleta's home. Deepest sympathy and much love.Nick Paxton
Texarkana, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 With love - Nick & Libby PaxtonDennis Wells
Springdale, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Max,Sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Dennis
Eva Eden
Camden, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Jenny,I am praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
Pat Savage Montgomery
Monticello, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 My thoughts and prayers are with the families.Frank and Betty Halligan Chancellor
Warren, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Frank and I were sorry to hear about Ms. Oleta. You are in our thoughts and prayers.Bishop Sam Wherry
Monticello, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 The Family of Mrs. Oletha HarperSuperintendent Bobby Harper and Members of the family, Grief is a perfect normal response to the death of your loved one, Mrs. Mary Oletha Harper. It is an adjustment process, which will allow all of you too gradually to accept this loss. The process is the same whether you are grieving the loss of a spouse, brother, sister or other significant person.
The death of Mrs. Mary Oletha Harper from this mortal state to immortality is a great loss and it is necessary to acknowledge it not only to your self-but to others. The adjustment will be easier for all family members by feeling free in expressing your respective grief. In addition to your feelings of despair and loneliness; you have to lose control of your emotions. Painful as it is, it is part of the normal grieving process. However, there is also an intensifying of faith in Jesus Christ, which gives you sufficient inner strength to carry you through this difficult period.
Finally, with the passing of time, there will be a gradual severing of Mrs. Mary Oletha Harper's thoughts and emotional ties. As you emerge from this bereavement, you will discover that you are a stronger person than you were before her death, you all will have gained a deeper faith, along with increased sensitivity, and greater understanding and compassion for one another and for others.
Humbly Submitted
Bishop Sam Wherry
World Link of Churches and Ministries Incorporated-Baton Rouge, La.
Martha Barbee
Monticello, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 So sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.Kay Worbington
Monticello, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Dear Harper Family, I lift you up in prayer during this sad time. Mrs. Oleta was a precious lady. She always had a smile. May the memories of a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother bring you comfort.Bonnie Laughlin
Lake Village,, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Mr. Harper and Family,Greg shared with me last evening the news of your Mom. Just know - you all are in my prayers; the promise that we are only here temporarily; that God has prepared a better life for her; and that one day all will be received together.
In Christ's love,
Bonnie
Don Ellis & Heather Paxton
Nolensville, TN Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Hey Warren, so sorry to hear about your mom. We will be praying for you and your family during this tough time. We love you guys. Don Ellis & Heather Paxton.Bobbie Ross
Warren, AR Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Mr. ExRay and family, I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. May God bless you all during this difficult time.Donna johnson
Camden, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Prayin for your family during this difficult time. So sorry to hear of your lossStanley & Debbie Shankles
Hampton, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Our thoughts and prayers are with you.James & Mary Lasiter
Wilmar, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 We are so sorry to hear of your great loss. Heaven has gain another angel. Please know that others are thinking about you at this time and praying that you will find peace.Gerald and Connie Castleberry
Camden, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Jenny - Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother. Our love and prayers are with your family. We love you!Tony and Betty Peebles
Lacey, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Max, Glenda, Hugh and Mary, We are so sorry to hear about Ms. Harper. We know your heart is in so much pain, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We love you all.Edward "Eddie" Tucker
, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 God bless you all and may he fill your hearts with blessings.Janice McAllister
Hot Springs Village, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 I am so saddened to read about Mrs. Oleta's death. What a beautiful, delightful and precious lady she was. Everyone whom she met loved her. I pray God will surround you with his loving arms at this time and give you comfort.I love you all, Janice (Gladden) McAllister
John & Paige (Hill) Stell
Monticello, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 You are all in our thoughts and prayers during the difficult days ahead. She was an angel on Earth & she now has her wings. Mrs. Harper touched many lives & will be missed by all who knew her.Love, John, Paige, Jayson, Colt, Brayden, Brad, Jake, & Jared
Valerie Chapman Carter
Vivian, LA Monday, March 17, 2014 Dear Warren, Jenny and Family,So sorry to hear about your mom. She was truly a sweet, wonderful lady. I am praying for all of you at this time. May God bless you all with peace and comfort.
"The Lord will give strength unto his people; The Lord will bless his people with peace". Psalm 29:11.
Your friend,
Valerie Chapman Carter (Class of 81)
Orbert and Christeen Curry
Warren, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Our thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of the family. She was a wonderful lady.Barbara Gilliam Harris
portland, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 My prayers and thoughts are with you. May God be with you and comfort you.Barbara and Carroll Harris
judy story hopkins
starcity, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Judy,My prayers are with you, your dad and the rest of your family. May God place his loving arms around you and give you peace and comfort.
Judy Story Hopkins
Kevin Briggs
Little Rock, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Thoughts and prayers are with your family.Bob & Carolyn Barnes
Van Buren, AR, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Our Thoughts & Prayers goes out to the entire Harper Familyshe was a sweet lady and will deeply missed.
Larry & Janie Fuller
Monticello, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 We are so sorry. We loved her & will miss her sweet sweet smiles & greetings . Tell Mr Exray to be strong as he always had her beside him!Pamela Jasay Hall
Pine Bluff, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Harper Family:Aunt Oleta had a special place in all of our hearts. She will be truly missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Another angel gone home. Rest in peace. All my Love.
Pamela Jasay Hall
Brenda J Anthoni
Pine Bluff, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 My heart aches for the loss of such a steadfast rock in my life. I know you are all in such shock and please know that each of you are in my thoughts and prayers and Uncle Dootie know that I love you and Aunt Oleta so very much.Lori McCoy
Monticello, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 I am deeply saddened by the loss of this sweet little lady. I pray you will all find comfort in your time of sorrow. Mr. X-Ray, I know you will stay strong in your walk with the Lord. Rejoice in knowing you will be with your lovely wife, in time. God bless you all.Tiara Hobbs Robinson
Greenbrier, AR Monday, March 17, 2014 Jenny, you and Matt have our sincere prayers through this difficult time and we will be praying for all. God's blessings to all.C Candace
Wilmar, AR Sunday, March 16, 2014 My deepest sympathy to the Harper family and I will continue to pray for your comfort in this sad time ! I love you uncle Max and Mary and just know I am here !!! God bless..