Jessie Harper

Jesse Samuel Harper (Jess), 97, of Mexia, Texas passed away Friday, April 20, 2012 in Waco, Texas. He was born September 18, 1914 in Warren, Texas to Benjamin Franklin and Gracie Elizabeth Hinson Harper. He lived and worked in Jasper, Texas until moving to Mexia where he lived the last 20 years. Jess served in World War II as a Tech Sergeant where he was a Prisoner of War. He retired after managing Texas Electric Cooperatives in Jasper, Texas. Jess was involved with gospel music his entire life. He sang in gospel quartets, was an accomplished gospel songwriter, and served as president of numerous Gospel County Singing Conventions for twenty years. Mr. Harper was preceded in death by his first wife Jackie Harper; parents; brothers, Johnny Harper and H.A. Harper; and sisters, Elizabeth Harper and Freddie Mae Payne. He is survived by his wife, Linda New Harper; one daughter Stephanie Acker and husband Joe of San Antonio, Texas; one grandson Joseph Acker and wife Paty of San Antonio, Texas; nieces Becky Denton and husband Clyde of Nacogdoches, Betty Le Master and husband David of Austin, Texas, Glenda Laundry of Lumberton, Texas, Joyce Bell and husband Ray, and Doris Hensarling of Woodville, Texas; nephew John Payne and wife Diane of Garrison, Texas, Earl Harper of Brenham; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Celebrations of Jess Harper's life will be: Visitation for Mr. Harper will be Monday, April 23, 2012 at Blair-Stubbs Funeral home from 6 - 8 p.m. The celebration of Jess Harper's life will be Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Calvary Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Michael Vestal, Mr. Neil Bond and Rev. C.B. Anderson officiating. Burial will be 4PM at Fellowship Cemetery out of Warren Texas. Pallbearers will be Grant Payne, Bill Doss, David Beard, Joseph Acker, Joe Acker, Lane Weaver. Honorary pallbearers will be C.D. Penny, Edd New, Bobby New, David LeMaster, Bob McLemore, Joe Windham, Ricky O'Pry and Harold Lewis. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Jeffress School of Gospel Music, P.O. Box 424, Crossett, Arkansas 71635 or the Texas Southern Gospel School of Music, c/o Donna Jermigan, 2620 Silver Falls Drive, Kingwood, Texas 77339.