Ernest Harper, Sr.

Mr. Ernest Harper, Sr., of 1387 Carrs Station Road, Sparta, Georgia passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019 surrounded by his family at his bedside.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 11:00 AM from the Jones Chapel AME Church, Sparta, Georgia. Interment was held in Walls Cemetery, Sparta, Georgia.

Mr. Ernest Harper, Sr., was born on June 29, 1935 to the late Liss, Jr. and Mattie Harper of Sparta, Georgia.  He attended school at Jones Chapel Church at an early age.  He was a third generation farmer.

Mr. Ernest Harper, Sr. was united in marriage to Juanita Nelson Harper on January 28, 1956.  Through their union, their families created one family unit to share unforgettable memories with their families.  Ernest was a loving, devoted, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all he would meet.

Mr. Ernest Harper, Sr., was known as a Master Farmer skilled in growing vegetables and fruit.  He managed several large fields for many years where he grew large crips and plowed many fields for members of the community.  People came from far and near to buy his watermelons, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.  He worked at Hodges Building Supply, Griffin Pipe Co., J.P. Stevens Inc. which later became Forstmann, Inc. where he served as machine operator and section leader until he retired.  Mr. Harper was a skilled craftsman and well known automobile mechanic whereby he was exceptional with his hands.  He continued to farm after he retired until his health declined in 2018.

Survivors of the late Ernest Harper, Sr., include his loving wife of 63 years, Mrs. Juanita Nelson Harper; son, Earnest Harper, Jr. of Sparta, GA; four daughters, Jeanette (Aldean) Duncan of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Linda (Nathaniel Warren) of Milledgeville, GA, Beverly (Bernard) Bronner of Macon, GA, and Cynthia (Kenneth) Morgan, Sr. of Milledgeville, GA; two brothers, Sam Harper and Ben Harper; four sisters, Corine Harper, Willie Mae (Philemon) Nelson, Sarah (Horace) Dickson, Mary (McCoy) Dunston; nine grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren; a host of nieces, and nephews.

His legacy is forever cemented in his family and the community.

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