Visitation will be from 1-3pm, Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby 4071 Macon Road Columbus, GA, followed by a Service at 3:00pm, with Reverends Andy Merritt and David Helms officiating. Interment will follow in Parkhill Cemetery.
Mrs. Harper was born March 9, 1924, in Lavonia, Georgia, to the late Harvey Mauldin and Alice Mouchet Mauldin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles M. Harper, Jr.
Mrs. Harper was a kind, godly woman who enjoyed spending time with her family, serving the Lord at church (Eastern Heights Baptist Church and Edgewood Baptist Church), and being involved in various social activities such as bowling, walking, the Joy Sunday School Class, and Covenant Woods’ gatherings. She spent quiet time reading her Bible, studying her Sunday School lesson, and reading Our Daily Bread devotionals.
As a wife, Mrs. Harper spent much time walking fairways and watching Pro Harper play in tournaments. She maintained a loving and nurturing home – running the sweeper, filling the ice box with a lemon pie, or trying a new recipe from one of the Peggy’s. Mrs. Harper was a classy lady, wearing her Kasper suits, clip-on earrings, and a little extra sparkle given to her by her husband as a token of love and appreciation. Charles Jr. and his “Honey” walked side by side for over sixty years.
Mary Ellen remained close to her five siblings even though they were separated throughout four states. They gathered regularly for reunions in the mountains, family weddings, milestone anniversaries, special birthdays, Saturday morning phone calls, and “passing through town” visits. Times together were spent conversing about children, grandchildren, and great grans; enjoying home-cooked meals; playing games; and reminiscing about times past. They were times of laughter and love, for Jesus was the bond that kept Mrs. Harper and her siblings connected.
To her family, “Mother’s” or “Grandmother’s” was the gathering spot for holidays and birthdays – where many a caramel cake, peanut butter chip cookies, and fruitcake cookies were baked with love. It was the peaceful place to go for rest and to feel loved, warm and inviting with ferns hanging on the front porch and colors on hydrangeas or bougainvilleas blooming in the back. It was where questions were asked not because she was nosey but because she was interested. It was Grandmother’s…it was home.
Survivors include her son, Charles (Ruth) Harper, III; siblings, Jones Mauldin, Peggy Peterson, and Dan “Moe” (Peggy) Mauldin; grandchildren, Matthew (Wendy) Harper and Katie (Andy) Johnston; four great-grandchildren, Grady Hamilton, Luke Hamilton, Brecken Harper, and Harper Johnston.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be offered to Edgewood Baptist Church Music Ministry 3564 Forrest Road Columbus, GA. 31907
Online condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com
