Mary Harper

Mary Alice (Howell) Harper, 73, of Greenville, SC, went home to her Heavenly Father after a brief illness. She passed peacefully on Dec. 29, 2017 from Greenville Memorial Hospital. After graduating from Appalachian State Teachers College in Boone, NC, she taught in public, private and homeschool for many years. More importantly, she was a loving mother, grandmother and wife, who put the well-being and interests of others before herself. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, first and foremost. She also loved gardening, arts and crafts, good music, flowers, birds, laughing and talking with friends and took time to observe God’s blessings even in the small things. She was predeceased by her father and mother, Charles Howell and Frances Huffstickler Howell. Surviving are her husband, Colin Harper; three daughters: Lisa Harper, Keri Salewski (John) and their children (Christopher and Natalie), Joanna Chapman (Tyler); one son: Christopher Harper (Amanda) and their child (Jett); two brothers: Robert Howell (Martha) and Kenny Howell; and one sister: Brenda Plumley. A private family memorial service was held in Greenville, SC, on Jan. 1. The graveside service will be held at Southern Baptist Church in Rutherfordton, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, with the Rev. John Perry presiding. The church is located at 140 Church Street, Rutherfordton (Ruth), NC. 28139.