Obituary for Sarah F. Harper
In God’s Hands
Grand Lady and Mother to all, Mrs. Sarah Frances Thomas Harper, 82, went to her heavenly home and reward on Sunday, March 4th, 2018 around 10:00 a.m. after an extended period of illnesses. Born in Lunenburg County, Virginia on May 17th 1935, she was the only daughter of the late Lucille Edmonds Thomas and Macklin Edward Thomas (Bagley).
Mom’s Early Story
Her formal education began at the Trinity School in Kenbridge VA through the 7th grade. She then attended Kenbridge Training School for higher learning. Mom Frances joined the family church, Gilfield Baptist, where at age 10 she was baptized by Reverend Theodore Wood. At Gilfield, her grandfather and public school educator, James Bagley was the Church Superintendent. He directed her growth and development as a born-again Christian in God’s service. Mom Frances sang in the church choir, served as an usher, and also taught Sunday
School. She united with the late Lewis Harper Sr. of Kenbridge, VA. In the fall of 1963, the family moved to nearby Blackstone VA, where she attended various churches until her illnesses prevented her from physically participating. She always enjoyed fellowship at Mt. Gazerine with her daughter, Alice Rose.
A Life of Work and Faith
Mom Frances’ great faith led her to dedicate her entire life to her family and many other families throughout the community. Her legendary skills were often called upon to do everything from cooking, canning, and cleaning to educating, advising and caring for people young and old. If you tasted one of her famous sweet potato or coconut pies, you knew that she had God-inspired talent that she willingly shared with everyone. Mom Frances worked extremely hard at everything she did. In the 1950’s, she worked as an accountant/clerk at Camp Pickett, VA. Later, she assisted several Blackstone and Lunenburg merchants in operating their facilities. She thoroughly enjoyed working for Mrs. Wava Allen at Allen’s Motel. Throughout the 80’s, Mom served and worked seasonally at Fort Pickett in food service. Mom worked hard on the farms and in the fertile fields of Lunenburg, Nottoway, and Brunswick Counties. Everything and everyone mattered. This was very important to her, and Mom Frances had an exceptional gift of being able to remember people’s names and significant details about their lives. She knew no strangers and always opened her home to all.
Watching her families grow and trying to help anyone in need were her greatest passions in
life -- a life dedicated to serving the needs of all people. Mom Frances was preceded in death by her first daughter, Sarah Frances, and her youngest son, Sam (Bobby); her husband, Lewis Everett Harper, Sr. and her parents; and children, Bernie, Lewis Jr., and Floria.
Sarah Thomas Harper’s Legacy
Lovingly nicknamed “Buttercup” by her son, Michael, she leaves the following legacy of life to carry on and to cherish her memory and devotion:
Children (9)
James (Aretha) of Hampton, VA; Samuel (Joyce) of Glen Allen, VA; Michael of Blackstone, VA; Barbara (Lenue Jr.) of Haymarket, VA; and Patricia (Wayne) of Blackstone, VA; Alice Rose of Blackstone; Willie Mae of Richmond, VA; Daughter-in law Elizabeth of Meherrin, VA; Jimmy of Blackstone, VA.
Brothers and Sisters (5); Sisters-in-Law (2) Aunts (3)
Franklin and Samuel of Brooklyn, NY; Tonida of Baltimore, MD; Marilyn of White Plains, NY; Geraldine of Warrenton, NC. Sisters-in-law Bishop Elizabeth Bagley of White Plains, VA and Ruth of Richmond, VA. Aunts Nancy in MD, Elizabeth and Georgetta in Washington, DC
Grandchildren (20)
Tusonia, Marques, James Jr.; Shan (Jennifer), Sam Jr., Andrea; Lenue III, Maleah; Brandon LaVon Lewis; Quintin; Tony (Deborah); Lewis III, Ronnie, Jordan; Jeremiah, Milton, Darlene, Phillip, Jordan; Chyna
Great Grandchildren (21)
Andre, Ariana, Alex, Antonio, Shayla, Jalen, Quintin Jr., Shekeita, Shemeka, Ashley, Antonio, Lewis Arthur, Khalil, Jennae, Ronnie, Brian, Preston, Sophia, Dominique, Amari, Arayana
Great-Great Grandchildren (5)
Zyairree, Zamarii, Brianna, Elijah, Maliyah
Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Friends - MANY
The family will visit with friends on Friday, March 9, 2018 at the funeral home from 6 to 8 pm.
Funeral Service Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 11:00 am at Mt. Gazerine Baptist Church, Blackstone. Interment Greenview Cemetery, Blackstone.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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Grand Lady and Mother to all, Mrs. Sarah Frances Thomas Harper, 82, went to her heavenly home and reward on Sunday, March 4th, 2018 around 10:00 a.m. after an extended period of illnesses. Born in Lunenburg County, Virginia on May 17th 1935, she was the only daughter of the late Lucille Edmonds Thomas and Macklin Edward Thomas (Bagley).
Mom’s Early Story
Her formal education began at the Trinity School in Kenbridge VA through the 7th grade. She then attended Kenbridge Training School for higher learning. Mom Frances joined the family church, Gilfield Baptist, where at age 10 she was baptized by Reverend Theodore Wood. At Gilfield, her grandfather and public school educator, James Bagley was the Church Superintendent. He directed her growth and development as a born-again Christian in God’s service. Mom Frances sang in the church choir, served as an usher, and also taught Sunday
School. She united with the late Lewis Harper Sr. of Kenbridge, VA. In the fall of 1963, the family moved to nearby Blackstone VA, where she attended various churches until her illnesses prevented her from physically participating. She always enjoyed fellowship at Mt. Gazerine with her daughter, Alice Rose.
A Life of Work and Faith
Mom Frances’ great faith led her to dedicate her entire life to her family and many other families throughout the community. Her legendary skills were often called upon to do everything from cooking, canning, and cleaning to educating, advising and caring for people young and old. If you tasted one of her famous sweet potato or coconut pies, you knew that she had God-inspired talent that she willingly shared with everyone. Mom Frances worked extremely hard at everything she did. In the 1950’s, she worked as an accountant/clerk at Camp Pickett, VA. Later, she assisted several Blackstone and Lunenburg merchants in operating their facilities. She thoroughly enjoyed working for Mrs. Wava Allen at Allen’s Motel. Throughout the 80’s, Mom served and worked seasonally at Fort Pickett in food service. Mom worked hard on the farms and in the fertile fields of Lunenburg, Nottoway, and Brunswick Counties. Everything and everyone mattered. This was very important to her, and Mom Frances had an exceptional gift of being able to remember people’s names and significant details about their lives. She knew no strangers and always opened her home to all.
Watching her families grow and trying to help anyone in need were her greatest passions in
life -- a life dedicated to serving the needs of all people. Mom Frances was preceded in death by her first daughter, Sarah Frances, and her youngest son, Sam (Bobby); her husband, Lewis Everett Harper, Sr. and her parents; and children, Bernie, Lewis Jr., and Floria.
Sarah Thomas Harper’s Legacy
Lovingly nicknamed “Buttercup” by her son, Michael, she leaves the following legacy of life to carry on and to cherish her memory and devotion:
Children (9)
James (Aretha) of Hampton, VA; Samuel (Joyce) of Glen Allen, VA; Michael of Blackstone, VA; Barbara (Lenue Jr.) of Haymarket, VA; and Patricia (Wayne) of Blackstone, VA; Alice Rose of Blackstone; Willie Mae of Richmond, VA; Daughter-in law Elizabeth of Meherrin, VA; Jimmy of Blackstone, VA.
Brothers and Sisters (5); Sisters-in-Law (2) Aunts (3)
Franklin and Samuel of Brooklyn, NY; Tonida of Baltimore, MD; Marilyn of White Plains, NY; Geraldine of Warrenton, NC. Sisters-in-law Bishop Elizabeth Bagley of White Plains, VA and Ruth of Richmond, VA. Aunts Nancy in MD, Elizabeth and Georgetta in Washington, DC
Grandchildren (20)
Tusonia, Marques, James Jr.; Shan (Jennifer), Sam Jr., Andrea; Lenue III, Maleah; Brandon LaVon Lewis; Quintin; Tony (Deborah); Lewis III, Ronnie, Jordan; Jeremiah, Milton, Darlene, Phillip, Jordan; Chyna
Great Grandchildren (21)
Andre, Ariana, Alex, Antonio, Shayla, Jalen, Quintin Jr., Shekeita, Shemeka, Ashley, Antonio, Lewis Arthur, Khalil, Jennae, Ronnie, Brian, Preston, Sophia, Dominique, Amari, Arayana
Great-Great Grandchildren (5)
Zyairree, Zamarii, Brianna, Elijah, Maliyah
Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Friends - MANY
The family will visit with friends on Friday, March 9, 2018 at the funeral home from 6 to 8 pm.
Funeral Service Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 11:00 am at Mt. Gazerine Baptist Church, Blackstone. Interment Greenview Cemetery, Blackstone.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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