FINAL TRIBUTE MRS. MARY L. POE HARPER 1923 - 1997 MONDAY September 22,1997 ST. JOHN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH CLAXTON, GEORGIA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO: HARPERS FUNERAL HOME MLH A TRIBUTE My mother was very special. She was a strong woman, not in stature but in her heart. Mom was a Do-er, she had foresight wisdom and incredible knowledge and she did not mind sharing these things. Mom was a good woman, who I not only loved but respected as mother and my friend. Loving Mom was easy, for she only wanted the best for me. Great men and women are remembered for the invaluable gifts they share with us and Mom will always be in our hearts for her vision, her spirit, her generosity and love of family. Mary, we hardly knew when you. We were blessed By your life but sadden by your passing. Goodbye, gentle princess, day is done, the night reigns. Love, J H N -------------------------------------MLH--------------------------------------------- OBITUARY Mrs. Mary L. Poe Harper Mary L. Poe Harper was born July 28, 1923 in Hagan, Georgia to the late Mrs. Bessie Kennedy Poe (Byrd) and Mr. Julius Poe. She was also the step-daughter of the late Mr. Houston Collier Byrd. Mrs. Harpers family lineage derives from upper North Carolina in the late 1800s. She was a great-granddaughter of Dr. Wyatt Kennedy and Mrs. Jennie Kennedy and the granddaughter of Mrs. Leah Mikel Kennedy Martin. Mrs. Harper attended the schools of Evans County and was valedictorian of her graduating class. She also attended Dorchester Academy and Georgia State College now Savannah State University. She taught in the public schools in Tattnall County for several years. In 1943 she married Mr. James Nelson of Detroit, Michigan. This union produced one son, James H. Nelson. This marriage ended in divorce. Mrs. Harper made her home in New Jersey for many years. She returned to Georgia in the mid 50s and was united in marriage to Mr. Willie B. Harper, local businessman and her high school classmate. This marriage lasted 36 years. Mrs. Harper was always an ambitious and determined woman. She was active in her com- munity via many venues. During the mid 70s she became a licensed Funeral Director. Mrs. Harper was also integrally involved in the war on poverty program. She was employed by the Altamaha Community Action Program as an Administrator for many years. During this time she became an avid world traveler. In the early 80s her husband suffered a series of medical set backs and she assumed the leadership of Harpers Funeral Home. She continued in the capacity until the early part of 1997. In late February of this year she handed this role to her son and sole heir, Mr. James H. Nelson. Mrs. Harper also broadened her own perspectives in the 80s by affiliating with other prominent Georgia women. She was part of a group that founded the Georgia Coalition of Black Women AKA 100 Black Women a national service organization. Mrs. Harper was elected its first state president. It was also during this time that she was named one of Georgias 50 most influen- tial black women. In 1985 she was elected to the City Council in Claxton. And served one term. Mrs. Harper received countless honors during her lifetime. These are just a few of those honors: Ladies Aid Society - 1976; Georgia Federation of Colored Womens Club - 1980; IOTA Phi Lamba Sorority 1985 (Outstanding Business Award); Georgia Coalition of Black Women 1985; City of Claxton - 1986; Excellence in Religious Radio - 1992; National Council of Business and Professional Women - 1979. Mrs. Harper served her community in many capacities. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Department of Family and Children Services. She served on the Advisory Council of the Regional Veterans Hospital. She served her church as youth director and president of the senior choir. In 1991 after the death of her husband, Mrs. Harper established the Willie B. Harper Memorial Scholarship. As a tribute to both Mr. & Mrs. Harper their son Mr. Nelson will now endow the Scholarship Fund in both their names. Mrs. Harper is survived by her devoted son, Mr. James H. Nelson and his wife, Mrs. Lee Carmichael Nelson; a grandson, Mr. S. Wyatt Kennedy Nelson of West Orange, N.J.; a sister, Mrs. Aretta J. Poe Sanders of Savannah, Ga.; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Annabell Harper Thomas of Newark, N.J. and Mrs. Dorothy Harper Simmons of Columbia, S.C.; a fond nephew, Mr. William Sanders of Savannah, Ga.; a fond niece, Mrs. Doris Thomas Suggs of Hillside, N.J.; several devoted cousins, Mrs. Adella Richardson, Mrs. Bessie M. Blocker and Mrs. Marietta Y. Bacon; other relatives and friends. After seventy four years of life, forty years of which were devoted to her community, we pause to express our love with respect and humanity. The Woods are lovely dark and deep. But I have miles to go before I sleep. Before I sleep, before I sleep. MLH ORDER OF SERVICE Rev. Stanford Anderson, Presiding Organ/Piano Prelude Processional Selection........... Old Testament New Testament Prayer of Comfort.... Tributes: Acknowledgements/ , Resolution A Reflection....... O Lord Most Holy Cesar Franck I Surrender All Rev. Stanford Anderson Mrs. Gwendolyn Strickland Mr. James H. Nelson, Son Owner/General Manager Harpers Funeral Home Solo................ Eulogy.............. Recessional Organ/Piano Postlude Ms. Margaret Stafford ....Dr. L. Perry McNeal ....Moonlight Sonata Beethoven Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery MLH ACTIVE PALLBEARERS Harpers Funeral Home Staff HONORARY PALLBEARERS Deacons of St. John Baptist Church FLOWER ATTENDANTS Ushers & Friends ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We the family of Mrs. Mary L. Poe Harper gratefully acknowledge your kindness and sincere sympathy. Although our hearts are sadden, we realize that God has looked beyond our earthly desire and fulfilled his heavenly plan. May God Forever Bless Each Of You The Family The family will share brunch with friends and family in the dining hall of St. John Missionary Baptist Church immediately after the interment.