Obituaries

Betty Ruth Harper, age 90, of Indio, California was called home on Friday, June 21st 2019.
She was born in Overton, Texas to Oscar Garland and Zadie Lee Manning Garland. She was one of 14 children.

She accepted Christ at an early age while attending Pearl Baptist Church in Kilgore, Texas. She graduated in 1948 from New London Colored School, the only school in Rusk County Texas.
Betty Garland was united in Holy matrimony to Grady Harper of Overton, Texas on August 14, 1948. In 1948, Betty and Garland moved to Indio, California. To this union, five children were born.
Betty joined Second Baptist Church of Indio, CA in 1948.
Betty worked as a domestic, nanny and a cook for many years.

In February 1967 Betty began working at Desert Sands Unified School District as a playground supervisor.
In November 1971 she became a Locker Room attendant-this position was reclassified to Security Agent.
In June 1994, after 22 ½ years of service, Betty retired from the Desert Sands Unified School District.
She was loved by all the students and employees at Indio High School. Her love for her students and the employees of the district, drew her back as an “as needed” substitute.

Betty loved her grandchildren, family and friends. She never met a stranger. She was a people person!
Over the last 71 years, she served as a faithful member of Second Baptist Church serving in many capacities until her decline in recent years. Betty served as a Financial secretary, Deconness, Mission president, Sunday School teacher, Youth teacher and Director, choir member and member of the quartet “Echoes of Harmony” with sisters in Christ Polly Reagins, Virginia Rowe and Merian Cooper. She was also active in the Valley District Association.

Betty was active in the community with the joint mission, local NAACP and Bronze Guild Association. The Bronze Guild provided scholarships to deserving minority high school students pursuing a college education. Betty received certificates of awards and recognition from many organizations. Two, that she was very proud of were-one for her faithful service since the beginnings of Second Baptist Church and grateful appreciation of 50 years of dedicated service from the Avon Corporation.

Aside from praising God, cooking was Betty’s passion! She loved cooking German chocolate cakes from scratch, pies and preparing, other special dishes for many people during her lifetime, it was more than just a meal.

The Lord used her gift to touch many lives; teaching and encouraging younger women and men; befriending and comforting others with her Godly wisdom and her beautiful smile. She always gave unselfishly whatever was needed down to her very last. Betty was a woman of fervent prayer and an example of holiness. She always opened the doors of her home for her family and loved ones.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Oscar Garland and Zadie Manning, her husband, Grady Harper, her brothers Willie Ray Garland, Otha Garland, Arthus Garland, and Alfonoso Garland; her sisters Marie Wallace, Annie Thurmond, Charline Thompson, Annie Ross, Alma Kennedy, one sibling who died at birth and grandson “Little” Billy Harper, Jr.

Betty leaves to cherish her Godly legacy and loving memory five (5) children; three sons and two daughters. Billy Harper (wife Kathy Harper) of Goodyear, Arizona, Lee Harper (wife Paula Harper) Dallas, Texas, Janice Harper-Wilson (husband Brad Wilson) of Indio, California, Vicky-Harper-Hall (husband Alex Hall) of Carson, California, and Larry Harper, Indio. California; one sister Neva Pettit of Dallas, Texas, two brothers Oscar Garland, Jr. of Tempest, Texas and Melvin Garland of Kilgore, Texas; 18 grandchilren; 23 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

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