MARY NELL HARPER
1937 - 2021
Mary Harper passed away Saturday, January 16, 2021, at the age of 84. She was born in Atlanta, Texas on January 15, 1937, to Dewitt & Gladys Coffey. She graduated from Seminole High School in 1955, where she was Valedictorian and played in the marching band. She moved to Abilene, Texas in 1955 to attend Abilene Christian College (now Abilene Christian University) where she met her husband of 60 years, Dale Harper. They married September 1, 1957 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on September 1, 2017. Mary & Dale had their first daughter, Karen, in May of 1958, in Abilene, Texas and three months later moved to Livermore, CA. In June of 1959 they moved to Long Island, New York with Rusty and Martha Bolton and their young son to help establish a Church of Christ in Huntington Station, New York. While there, they had two more daughters, Rebecca (1960), Melanie (1963), and 12 years later moved to Fresno, California, to be closer to her husband’s family.
Mary was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to all her family. She was actively involved at College Church of Christ in Fresno, California, with the Ladies Life Group and always available to help with activities, functions and events, held at the church when asked. She enjoyed playing games and played Canasta with ladies at the mobile home park where she lived. She was a great cook and enjoyed sharing the recipes with her daughters and granddaughters. Her pecan pie is legendary!
Mary is survived by three daughters: Karen Harper, of Burnet, Texas; Becky Lingar and her husband Hugh Lingar III of Clovis, California; Melanie Harbin and her husband Craig Harbin of Fresno, California; five grandchildren; Hugh Lingar, IV, Justin Lingar, Sara Cross, Ali Bishop and Kylie Gleason; seven great grandchildren; Alexandria Peterson, Jessie Lingar, Hunter Lingar, Jacob Brower, Sydney Bishop, Kaitlyn Bishop and Mason Brower; two great-great grandchildren; Harper Peterson and Graham Peterson, and numerous cousins. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Dale Harper, her parents Dewitt Coffey & Gladys Coffey, and one brother Dewitt Coffey, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.
