Obit – Mr. Bobby Harper
Lifelong South Carthage resident Mr. Bobby Harper died at the age of 81 at 11:04 a.m. Tuesday morning November 14, 2023 at the Quality Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Lebanon under the care of Gentiva Hospice of Lebanon. Mr. Harper was suffering from dementia.
Bro. Jimmy Gregory will officiate at the 1 p.m. Friday afternoon November 17th funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Mr. Harper’s nephew, Terry Hunt, will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow the service beside Mr. Harper’s wife at the Milton Cemetery in the Milton Community of Rutherford County.
He was one of five children, three daughters and two sons of the late Nealous Harper who died April 1, 1991 at the age of 85 and Lizzie Mai Culbreath Harper who died November 19, 1998 at the age of 83 and was born Bobby Harper in South Carthage on September 19, 1992.
All four of his siblings preceded him in death. Mr. Harper’s twin sister, Robbie Harper died at birth on September 19, 1942, Ray Edward Harper died July 31, 2018 at the age of 81, Thelma Doris Harper Hunt died November 4, 2022 at the age of 76, and Shelby Jean Harper Christian died August 11, 2019 at the age of 79.
Mr. Harper was a member of the 1960 graduating class at Smith County High School where he majored in foreign languages. He was a member of the Latin club his freshman year, the Spanish club his senior year, and the Trades and Industry Club all four years.
A statement was made of him in the senior annual that; “silence gives consent.”
He was united in marriage to Davidson County native and longtime Horseshoe Bend Community resident, the former Mildred Lorene Ellis, on August 4, 1962.
Mr. Harper attended the South Carthage Missionary Baptist Church.
Before retirement he was employed with the street department for the Town of South Carthage for over thirty three years.
He is survived by two sons, Bobby Neal Harper and wife Dianna of South Carthage, David Wayne Harper and wife Mary of the Tanglewood Community; a special friend, Erma Ballinger Mofield of South Carthage; six grandchildren, Stephanie Lynn Harper Washer and husband Joey of South Carthage, Bobby Nicholas (Nick) Harper and wife Holly of Hartsville, Chelsea Lorene Harper Gibbs and husband Jacob of South Carthage, John-Allen Harper also of South Carthage, Joshua Harper and Lizzie Harper both of the Tanglewood Community; eight great-grandchildren.
The Harper family has requested memorials to Alzheimers Tennessee.
SANDERSON of CARTHAGE
