Mrs. Joyce Harper

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed way. Revelation 21:1-4 Sis. Joyce Harper was born May 6, 1935 in Palestine, Texas to the union of Mr. Langston P. and Henry Pearl Tolbert. She received her early education at Buress Elementary and Booker T. Washington High School, in Houston, Texas. At an early age she confessed Christ and was baptized at the True Light Baptist Church un-der the tutelage of W.M. Bowie. She served in several capacities at New Jerusalem Baptist Church under the tutelage of Rev. W.J. Profit until God called him home. She served as Youth Matron, Sunday School Teacher, Vice President of Women’s Mission, and sang in the Mission Chorus under the direction of Sis. Lois Profit. Joyce was a devoted Minister’s Wife and one of the original Charter Members of New Jerusalem B.C. On May 7, 1950 she married the love of her life, Mr. Tommie E. Harper, Sr. and celebrated 66 years and 10 months of marriage. To this union 3 children were born, Tommie Harper, Jr. (Cynthia); Gladys Williams (Harold-deceased) and Charles Harper (Vivian). She also had several Godchildren, one of whom preceded her in death (Myelete Wiltz). Sis. Harper had a great love for people. She could talk to anyone, and loved sharing her wis-dom with all she encountered. She had a magnetic smile and a wooing personality. She was a woman of many talents, an exceptional cook, and a servant to others. She believed in the proverb that it takes a village to raise a child, evident by the fact that she was a nurturer of many children in and around the neighborhood. Rev. and Sister Harper worked side by side, ministering to the sick at home, in hospitals, nursing facilities and in rehabilitation facilities. Her hobbies included reading the daily news from front to back, drinking coffee (which was mostly sugar and milk.). She was a great housekeeper, keeping everything in order, even pressing Dad’s underwear! Women of her caliber are rare. (Smile) She loved shopping for her grandchildren, dragging Gladys along from store to store every Saturday, rain sleet or snow. She had to find just the right outfit, or toy for each grandchild. She loved teaching and sing-ing to her grandchildren, instilling in them the word of God, making sure they knew the Lord, and would abide by his Word. On any occasion if the grandchildren had a speech to recite at church, she made sure they practiced and recited to her in order to perfect it. She insisted that they give God their best. Joyce lived life to the fullest and never questioned God’s will. She was a loving and devoted Christian first and foremost, a Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmother and a friend to all. She was a woman of Faith and believed in the Lord and the power of Prayer. Joyce leaves to cherish her memory, her three children; four grandchildren: Tommie Harper III, Lauren C. Harper, Jennifer L. Harper and Katelan A. Harper; two beautiful great-grandchildren: Lorelai Harper and Aaliyah Ford; three Goddaughters: Candy Devul, Elaine Berry, and Carletta Allen; Godsons: Timothy Williams and Greg Sample and many others; Special Daughters and Sons: Martha Stroud, Meechie Burrell, Emmanuel Champs, Kirk Wil-liams, Percilla and Ashley Powell, Mr. & Mrs. Jeffery and Dorin Williams; her closest child-hood friends: Mrs. Gerdaine Antoine, Mrs. Betty Ann Surcy; Stepmother Mrs. Espanola Tolbert; two sisters Valangston and Vee Vee, and a host of relatives and friends, as well as extended family and her church family. Joyce will forever occupy a special place in our hearts, and will be sorely missed. We can imagine you’re saying to us... Weep not my family, for I have lived my life to the fullest. Worry not my family, for I am in the hands of my Father and I suffer no more. Cry not my family, for Joy cometh in the morning, and I can say hi to those who were sent before me. Be strong my family, and be that rock for those who remain. Help them to endure this unforsaken pain. Be encouraged my family, for my father has forgiven me and has welcomed me with open arms. Be meek and humble my family, let your conscious be your guide for your thoughts of all this stress and strife and think of death as I did... A Part