Clyde Thomas Harper Sr.

Mr. Harper was born on December 3, 1924 in Tallapoosa, GA, son of the late William Harper and Zetha Casey Harper Gaines. He was a first time resident of Rome between 1957 and 1965. Prior to retirement in 1986, Mr. Harper was associated with Georgia Power for 34 years in Decatur, GA. Following his wife’s retirement, he and Burnese moved back to Rome where they have resided for fourteen years. Mr. Harper has been a member of the First Baptist Church for 10 years and served as a dedicated volunteer in the community. His volunteer work included Redmond Regional Medical Center, where was honored as “Volunteer of the Year” in 2006, the William S. Davies Shelters and Rome Action Ministries. Mr. Harper was lovingly referred to as “the behind the scenes giver” because he truly enjoyed helping people but did not want the credit. Preceding him in death was a son, Darryl Harper; a daughter, Jo Thornton; two brothers and three sisters.

Survivors include a cherished wife of 63 years, Burnese Lambert Harper of Rome; a daughter, Amy Harper of Rome; a son, Tom Harper of Rome, a son-in-law, Bill Thornton of Canton; three grandchildren, Brittany Fenning and her husband, Gib of Atlanta, William Thornton and Elizabeth Thorton both of Canton; one great-grandchild, Ethan Bohannon and one sister, Lucille Yontz of Byesville, OH.

Funeral services for Mr. Harper were held on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 2 p.m. in the Griffin Memorial Chapel of Daniel’s Funeral Home with Dr. Joel Snider and Dr. Peter Rhea Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the Hollywood Cemetery in Tallapoosa, GA.

The family received friends on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in the funeral home from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Foundation, P.O. Box 1189, Rome, GA, 30162.