Joseph Martinez Harper passed away on February 18, 2020 in Poplarville, MS. He was the beloved husband of Lorraine Froeba Harper for 38 years. Joseph was born December 6, 1943 in New Orleans, LA, the son of the late Harold Ruse Harper and Emma Ruth Martinez Harper.
He was predeceased by sisters, Helen (Ernest) Breda, Elizabeth (Karl) Johnson, Joyce (Ted) Haller, and Claire (Sandy) Rive; brother, William Harper; and brothers-in-law, Franklin Gardiner, Clement Froeba and Thomas (Alice) Froeba.
He is survived by sisters, Virginia Gardiner and Nathalie (George) Craven; sister-in-law, Anita Harper; daughter, Stefanie (Randy) Smolen; grandchildren, Kristian (Ned) Borden, Josh Meade, Carlyn (Patrick) Crawford, and Adelaide Smolen; and great-grandchildren, Hollis, Hannah and Harlan Borden. Also survived by step-sons, John and Glenn (Linda) Sunseri, step-grandchildren, Christopher, Jennifer, Stephanie, Charles, Jamie and Jaelynn Sunseri.
Joseph graduated from Alcee Fortier High School and Southeastern Louisiana University in 1967, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He was retired from the State of Louisiana where he was a quality control reviewer for the welfare and food stamp programs.
Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Chapel of the funeral home. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Hilda Hoffmann Memorial Archive, 301 Williams Avenue, Picayune, MS. 39466 or Southeastern Louisiana University Foundation, SLU-10293, Hammond, LA 70402. The donations to SLU will go into the general scholarship fund of the university in Joseph's name.
To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com
