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Posted by Jo Aguirre
Irene Elizabeth Harper, age 96 of Purcell passed away Sunday, January 6, 2013 at Westbrook Gardens Assisted Living Center in Purcell. Irene was born on March 9, 1916 in Zion, Arkansas near Little Rock. She was the 6th child of nine children born to William Edgar Howard and Alice Emma (Fudge) Howard. The year she was born her family loaded everything they had onto a train including Dads team of mules and moved to a small farm south of Purcell near the Stealey community. There she learned how to work hard as a young girl doing farm work. She first attended the Stealey School and later attended Wayne Schools. On September 12, 1935, Irene married the love of her life, Robert Luther Harper. They lived a short while in the Purcell area before moving to California in 1939 to find work. Irene worked several years as a Rosie the Riveter, working for the Douglas Aircraft Co. In 1943 they moved back to Oklahoma and to the area they called home. Irene worked hard as homemaker, wife and mother. While raising her seven children she also worked outside the home for various businesses in the Purcell area. For many years she worked as a cook for Broadlawn Nursing Home later the Evans Nursing Home and for the Ballard’s Dairy King. She also worked many years as a custodian for the First American Bank and at the Purcell Hospital. Irene was a dedicated Christian Woman. She was a charter member of the Sunray Baptist Church in Purcell and remained a member there for many years. She later moved her membership to the Purcell First Baptist Church where many of her friends attend. For the past year Irene has enjoyed living at the Westbrook Gardens Assisted Living Center in Purcell. Throughout her life she had always maintained and raised a garden. She was good at canning and was a fabulous cook. Besides going to church she always liked to spend time with her family and have family get-togethers. She was preceded in death by: Parents: Will and Alice Howard Husband: Rob Harper in 1982 2 sons: Kenneth Wayne and Richard Lee Harper 1 brother: Lester Howard 7 sisters: Stella Bell, Letha Minnix, Sarah Lee Underwood, Ferbia Herell, Hattie McClure, Fern Pendley and Jewell Johnson She is survived by: 5 children: Carolyn Harper of Dallas Howard Gale Harper of Purcell Darlene Meskimen and husband Bob of Purcell Robert D. Harper and wife Vera of Placentia, CA Sheila Matthews and husband Dan of Norman 2 daughter-in-laws: Barbara Harper of OKC and Johnnie Harper of Norman 2 sister-in-laws: Ruby Harper of Purcell and Shirley Harper of Chula Vista, CA 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends Funeral Services are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Thursday, January 10, 2013, at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Purcell building fund. The family will have a visitation on Wed. evening from 6-8 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
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