Etta Cecelia Harber

On November, 20, 2017 our Lord and Savior called Etta Cecelia Smith Harber home. Mrs. Harber fought a valiant fight against a combination of illnesses with the primary diseases being heart disease and profound dementia.

Mrs. Harber was an avid quilter, home-maker, and a wonderful baker/chef. Her meals and deserts were said to be created by using magic pots and pans. Every meal was created and served with love.

As a life-long Methodist, Mrs Harber began her growth in the walk with Christ at Harleton United Methodist Church followed by Summerfield United Methodist Church in Longview, Texas. Nothing pleased Mrs. Harber more than being in church and watching her children and grandchildren grow and walk the Christian path with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Harber began her career as a switchboard operator with Southwestern Bell, followed by employment with K. Woolens and Stemco. As her family grew, Mrs. Harber became a stay-at-home mom and returned to the work place when the last of her young ones entered school. Returning to work, Mrs. Harber was the cafeteria supervisor at South Ward Elementary School with Longview ISD and supplemented her income working at Anthony’s in layaways and gift-wrapping along with selling Avon as she loved all things Avon.

Mrs. Harber is survived by her sister, Ann Clark; her two brothers, Larry Smith and Henry Smith; her sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Harber Smith, Sherry Smith and Judy Smith; brothers-in-law Leo Harber and J.T. Clark; her children, Debra Ann Harber, Linda Gay Harber Ramsey, Terry Ramsey, Stephanie Harber, Jay Harber, and Jessica Cox. Mrs. Harber’s surviving grandchildren are as follows: Thomas Elliott (Tommy), Brian Goings, Gaylan Andrew Massey, Colby Ramsey, Jonathan Ramsey, Isabella Harber and Elisabeth Cecelia Harber.

Mrs. Harber was preceded in death by her loving parents, Charles (Bud) and Henrietta Smith; parents in law, Reese Elder and Valerie Harber; her loving husband of many years, Gaylan Wayne Harber; her brothers Clarence Smith, J. T. Smith, Willard Harber, and Richard Harber; her sisters Patricia Smith, Jo-Nell Ford Wright, and Alice Harber Sparks; and, her children Sharon Harber Goings and Gaylan Daniel Harber.

Our thanks goes to the many doctors and nurses who helped care for our mother. Dr. Ernest and Dr. Perkins of Longview were a blessing to our family over the years of mom’s illnesses. Whispering Pines and Life Way Hospice made our mother’s last days comfortable and happy.

A special thanks to Bobby Daniels, Wanda Langford and Mary Ann Smith for always supporting and being there for our mother.