Virginia D. Harper

Virginia Dare (Barker) Harper passed to her Heavenly home May 21, 2012 at Country Gardens Assisted Living Community surrounded by loving family and friends. Virginia was born November 19, 1923 at her family home east of Stilwell in the Chalk Bluff Community. Her favorite memories were of those early years walking to the one room Chalk Bluff Schoolhouse with family, cousins and neighbors, helping her grandmother Ida (Mammy) hitch the horse and wagon to deliver fresh produce and dairy products to “town” for sale and family picnics at Chalk Bluff Creek. Her devotion and dedication to family began in that small community. Virginia attended Stilwell High School and was an active member of the SHS Choir, school plays and cheering for her high school sweetheart, Billy Tom Harper as he played football and basketball for the Indians. She and Bill were married July 13, 1941 at Jay, Oklahoma. Virginia was a devoted wife, mother, friend and Christian. Her culinary skills were legendary among family and friends. Coming home after a day at work or school meant comfort. She sang in the First Baptist Church choir and quartet. She cherished her church family. Upon the death of her father-in-law, Jewel Harper, she was appointed Adair County Court Clerk and served in that capacity until she and Bill relocated to Tecumseh, OK. Virginia then worked as a clerk in the Pottawatomie County Assessor’s Office. Upon Bill’s death in 1979, she moved to Oklahoma City and was employed as an admittance clerk at Oklahoma Children’s Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1987. Virginia’s retirement years were spent in Tulsa, OK. until 2010 when she moved to Country Gardens Assisted Living Community in Muskogee, Oklahoma until her death. Virginia’s children, grandchildren, family, friends and all who knew her were extremely blessed to have her for so many years. Her legacy of love will be passed on to all her descendants for generations. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Tom Harper; parents, John Gray and Pearl Adair Barker; brothers, John (Ruby) Barker Jr., Dewaine and Jackie Barker; son-in-law, Leon Matula; grandson, Randy Brown, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jewel and Maude Harper; nephews, Danny and Ronnie Brooks; and great nephew, Michael Cline. She is survived by her daughters, Sharon (Bill) Brown, Billye Matula, Patti Presson; sisters, Mildred Bigby, Wanda Sigite; six grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Virginia D. Harper

November 19, 1923 - May 21, 2012