Nita Harwell Tapp

COLUMBIA Memorial service for Nita Harwell Tapp, 95, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2015, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Mrs. Tapp passed away Monday, December 29, 2014. Born in Lucien, Miss., she was the daughter of the late Oscar H. and Alice K. Hughes Harwell. After completing her business degree in the early 1940’s, she worked for the railroad for many years. Entering into the retail industry in 1950 in New Orleans, she transferred to Ft. Worth, Texas and then to Los Angeles. In 1952, she moved to Columbia and gained employment at Tapp’s Department Store. Mrs. Tapp was a buyer for the Tapp’s Department stores in Columbia until her retirement in 1984. Nita and her husband James loved to travel and traveled around the world. Surviving are her niece, Shirley L.A. Riley; grandnieces and nephews, Shawn E. Riley, James C. Riley, Tracey L. Potter Riley, Kelly K. Phillips (Charlie), Erin A. Blocker (Kevin), Brian C. Riley (Sabrinna). She is also survived by Louise Joye, Lee Joye, Pamela Bender (Stewart), Kelly Cranford (Alan), Michael Joye (Henrietta, Peggy Tapp (James L. Jr.), Cheryse Jordan (Clyde), Tina Huffstetler (Terry), James L. Tapp III (Jody) and numerous great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, James L. Tapp Sr.; sister, Lavelle H. Wright; and brothers, O. Harry Harwell and L. Eugene Harwell (Helen Alice). The family wishes to thank AHAVA Hospice, especially Latoya and Debra. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ASPCA Humane Society, 121 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC 29209.