Sylvia Lydell Harper

© Marietta Monitor

September 12, 2003, page 4

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Services for Sylvia Lydell Harper, 87, of Thackerville, were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 10, at First Baptist Church, Thackerville, with the Rev. Dwight Hawkins and the Rev. Cary Jones officiating.

Mrs. Harper was born October 1, 1915, in Burns City, Texas, the daughter of Perry and Martha A. Ozment Pierce. She died Sunday, September 7, 2003, in Lake Country Nursing Center, Marietta.

A resident of Love County most of her life, she and Earl G. Harper were married on July 13, 1935, in Gainesville, Texas. The couple then moved to Thackerville where they farmed for a while. Mrs. Harper worked as a shoe lacer for Linda Jo Shoe Company in Gainesville from 1950 until the company closed in 1962. She then worked as a house parent at the Denton State School for many years. Mrs. Harper also cooked at the Thackerville School until her health forced her to retire. She enjoyed working with children so very much. A very active member of Thackerville's First Baptist Church, she taught Sunday School for many years and was very involved in Vacation Bible School.

After retiring, Mrs. Harper helped her husband with huge vegetable gardens, which the couple then enjoyed sharing with their many friends. Mrs. Harper was famous for her hot rolls, peach cobbler, candies and other wonderful goodies that most of you have sampled at church dinners, etc. She was also involved in many other church activities too numerous to mention.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Earl Gene and Louise Harper of Thackerville, Charles and Jean Harper of Paris, Texas, and Jerry and Linda Harper of Marietta; three sisters-in-law, Cena Monday of California, Mary Kretzschmar of Marietta and Faye Harper of Sanger, Texas; 10 grand-children; 16 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grand-children and nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Harper was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl Harper on April 29, 2003; a grandson, Darrell Harper; two brothers and three sisters.

Pallbearers were Johnny Harper, Robby Peyrot, Ray Moore, Ray Roberson, Bill Taylor and Kevin Wolfe. Honorary pallbearers were Travis Willis, Jimmy Lewis, Charles Clark, the Ladies Sunday School Class of Thackerville First Baptist Church, and all of the friends she made in her lifetime.

Interment was in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Thackerville under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home, Marietta.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Thackerville First Baptist Church Building Fund.

Her family extends heartfelt thanks to all of the employees of Lake Country Nursing Center, Good Samaritan Hospice, Red River Rehabilitation and Dr. Tom O'Connor for making the end of her life as comfortable as possible.