Mary Harper

Mary Virginia Harper, 64, of Benton, died Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, after a brave and lengthy battle with cancer. She was born May 1943, in Benton to Olan Almer Harper and Mary Irene Forthman Harper. Ms. Harper was a member of the West Bauxite Missionary Baptist Church. Her parents, her brother, Jerry O. Harper and her sister, Shirley J. Green, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her brother, James Stephen Harper; her sister, Catherine Harper Smith; and her brother-in-law, Bob Green all of Benton. She is also survived by her nieces, Melissa Harper Brown, Donna Harper Salinas, Holly Harper Barnes and Laura Green Greer and nephews, Jerry Green, Robert A. Green, Ira Smith and Jeremy O. Harper; great nieces, Harper, Hannah, Macee, Christina, Sarah and Bobbie and great nephews, Bodie, Dillon, Preston, Nathan and Jaden and a multitude of friends.

Virginia's family was the most important thing in her life. She was proud of her family and loved them all. She loved her friends and made them a part of her family. Virginia enjoyed traveling and she had the opportunity to travel extensively internationally and in the States. She always enjoyed experiencing new things and enjoying the local flavors. Virginia also particularly enjoyed boating and spent many weekends at Lake Ouachita with family and friends. She lived every day of her life to the fullest.

Virginia retired from the Arkansas Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (ADAP) in 2000 with 38 years of state service. She was known as someone who could always get the job done no matter what it required. Virginia enjoyed her work and her co-workers enjoyed her sense of humor and her willingness to always go out of her way to help out.

Funeral services were Tuesday, Nov. 13 at Ashby Funeral Home with the Rev. Melvin Burris officiating. Burial was at Bethlehem Cemetery in Gurdon, Ark.

Pallbearers were Jerry Green, Robert Green, Jeremy Harper, Ira Smith, Terry Brown and Jamey Greer. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Brad Baltz, Ann Stobaugh, Pam Lambert, Chester O'Neal and Nancy Phillips.

Memorials may be made to West Bauxite Missionary Baptist Church Library or Saline County Library.