Obituary for Sara Harper
Mrs. Sara Jean Harper was born February 17, 1931 to the late Mandell Thompson and Lincy Lester in Marshall, Texas. Sara departed this life on January 9, 2021. Three children, Linda, Sandra, and Booker T. III were born to Sara and her first husband, Booker T. Washington, Jr. Later Sara married Samuel Harper and together they reared 6 children.
Mrs. Harper is a graduate of H.B. Pemberton High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Prairie View A & M University in 1952. For several years she taught at Fort Yates Indian Reservation at Bismark, North Dakota.
Mrs. Harper moved back home to Marshall in 1982 and opened Harper’s Montessori School for Early Childhood. Upon retiring from teaching in 1994, Sara began her second career and passion in the culinary field by opening Personality Catering Service. Regular patrons included Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Regular Fellows Club, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Mary Church Terrell Society, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, The Methodist Men, and many others until retiring in 2013.
Teacher Jean’s classroom was warm, inviting, and filled with love, as was she. Placing smiles on faces of children and providing acts of service are what brought her happiness and pleasure in life. She tirelessly taught and touched many.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Samuel Harper; 1 step-daughter, Corliss Harper; 1 grandson, Brandon Powers.
She is survived by 3 children, Booker T. Washington III, Linda Jo Harris and Sandra (Kenneth) White; 5 step-children, Sandra Young, Darlene (Robert) Green, Samuel (Shelia) Harper Jr., Darryl Harper and Reginald Harper; 3 grandchildren, Tasha Braylan and Breia; step-grandchildren, Daron, Dolly, Cecil, John, Toya, Jermaine, Demetrius, Norris Jr., Danielle and Michelle; 7 great-grandchildren, Jada, Davaunte’, Diamond, Keondre, B’Jon, Bailie and Lyricq; numerous cousins other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Harper is a graduate of H.B. Pemberton High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Prairie View A & M University in 1952. For several years she taught at Fort Yates Indian Reservation at Bismark, North Dakota.
Mrs. Harper moved back home to Marshall in 1982 and opened Harper’s Montessori School for Early Childhood. Upon retiring from teaching in 1994, Sara began her second career and passion in the culinary field by opening Personality Catering Service. Regular patrons included Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Regular Fellows Club, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Mary Church Terrell Society, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, The Methodist Men, and many others until retiring in 2013.
Teacher Jean’s classroom was warm, inviting, and filled with love, as was she. Placing smiles on faces of children and providing acts of service are what brought her happiness and pleasure in life. She tirelessly taught and touched many.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Samuel Harper; 1 step-daughter, Corliss Harper; 1 grandson, Brandon Powers.
She is survived by 3 children, Booker T. Washington III, Linda Jo Harris and Sandra (Kenneth) White; 5 step-children, Sandra Young, Darlene (Robert) Green, Samuel (Shelia) Harper Jr., Darryl Harper and Reginald Harper; 3 grandchildren, Tasha Braylan and Breia; step-grandchildren, Daron, Dolly, Cecil, John, Toya, Jermaine, Demetrius, Norris Jr., Danielle and Michelle; 7 great-grandchildren, Jada, Davaunte’, Diamond, Keondre, B’Jon, Bailie and Lyricq; numerous cousins other relatives and friends.