Barbara Jean Harp

Barbara Jean Harvell Harp passed away on September 7, 2024 at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville after a long illness. She was born on January 29, 1935 in Happy Hollow, Georgia, to Denver and Lois Harvell, the youngest of her siblings Junior, Margaret, Dupree and Bill, all of whom predecease her. She had a happy childhood on the family farm in Elbert County where she developed her love of animals and adventure. She wrote poetry in her youth and was published in the Elberton Star newspaper. She was graduated from Elbert County High School and attended secretarial school in Athens, Georgia, where she met her husband, Jim, a pharmacy student at the University of Georgia. They were married on September 1, 1957 in Abbeville, South Carolina and moved to Jacksonville where Jim had secured a job at Pierce Prescription Shop. They settled in the Avondale neighborhood where they raised their three children who survive them: Jimmy; Mark, his wife Lynn and their two boys of whom she was very proud, Brian and Brad; and Rebekah.

Barbara was active in her children's lives and participated in activities at West Riverside Elementary, John Gorrie Junior High School, and Robert E. Lee High School, including transporting her children and their friends to countless music, dance and Boy Scout activities. She was active in Avondale United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School and assisted in the kindergarten.

She worked for many years at Utsey’s Shoes on St. John’s Avenue where she specialized in dyeing shoes to match the gowns of brides and debutantes. She then worked as a teacher’s aide at Stilwell Middle School, where she was named Teacher’s Assistant of the Year and honored with a banquet. After her retirement she enjoyed life in her home and the company of the many cats that she fed and nurtured, as well as the animal companions in the household of her daughter Rebekah, especially Jack and Benjamin. To honor her love of them, memorial donations may be made to Paw Paws Pet Rescue, 2850 State Road 2, Hilliard Florida 32046. [email protected].

She was loved by all who knew her, and after a long life now rejoices and is at peace in the heavenly kingdom with all the saints who have gone before.

In garments glorious He will come, to open wide the door;

and I shall enter my heav’nly home, to dwell forevermore.

Out of the ivory palaces, into a world of woe,

Only His great eternal love made my Savior go.

A graveside service for Barbara will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218.