Elizabeth Jane "Liz" Howell Harper ,84,,of Brownsville, Texas, formerly of Bedford, Virginia, entered into Eternal Rest at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2006, at the Brownsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Liz passed away after suffering a massive stroke to the right side of her brain on Sunday, March 19, 2006. Elizabeth Jane Howell Harper, daughter of the late Charlie T. and Bessie Forbes Howell of Bedford County Virginia, was born on March 21, 1922 at her family's home on Sharps Mountain Road. At the age of four, Liz's family learned that she was deaf. However, she still walked every day through fields, climbed over fences, and even struggled through the snow to attend public school at the one-room schoolhouse in Penicks later known as the Kirkwood Home. This was Liz's source of education until she was twelve when her dad drove her 80, "Bumpity-bump," miles over rough, and crooked mountain roads in order for his daughter to go to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB) in Staunton, Virginia. Elizabeth Jane Howell graduated with honors in June 1940. She went on to further her education at Gallaudet College (University) in Washington, D.C. (The only university in the world established strictly for students who are deaf). After failing both Algebra, and Latin, Liz went back to Bedford to become the "blushing" bride of the late Robert Sherman (Bob or Bobby) Harper at the Peaks Presbyterian Church on June 17, 1942. To assist in maintaining the farm records, and perform bookkeeping tasks, Liz attended Philips School of Business where she earned a certificate in Bookkeeping, and Business Finance. Among her many activities on the farm, Liz enjoyed taking pictures with the Bedford Camera Club, planting flowers, and shrubs, participating as a member of the Lisbon Garden Club, planning for their annual Flower Shows, decorating churches for all occasions. With Love and Grace, Liz performed her weekly duties, which included teaching an all "deaf" Sunday School class at Peaks Presbyterian Church, Bedford in the mornings, and directing an all deaf choir at both Saint John's Episcopal Church in Roanoke in the afternoons, and at Christ's Episcopal Church in Lynchburg every Sunday night. In September 1975, Bob and Liz drove their first Sportscoach Motorhome to Brownsville, Texas to visit their daughter,
Helen, who had moved there to teach deaf children, and to help establish the Regional Day School for the Deaf. They enjoyed the climate so much, that after only one month, Bob and Liz hurried back to Bedford, sold the farm to the Key Family-Tony and Margaret Key-Mayhew, and moved to Brownsville, Texas where they lived happily together until Bob died in 1999. They were married for 57 years. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Robert Sherman (Bobby, Bob) Harper, of Brownsville, Texas, formerly of Bedford, her parents Charlie T. and Bessie Forbes Howell, three brothers and two sisters-in law, Ronald and Hallie B. Howell of Portsmouth, Roy and Mamie Howell, Harold Forbes Howell, one sister and brother-in law, Hazel and Madison Cottrell all of Bedford, one son, Lewis Sherman Harper, one soninlaw, Chester (Chet) T. Rebok of Brownsville, Texas, one extremely special nephew, James "Charlie" Cottrell and one loving niece, Virginia Medora (Ginny Mae) Cottrell-Crawford. Elizabeth is survived by one sister-in-law, Carrie Toms-Howell, Bedford; one son and daughter-inlaw, Tommy and Barbara Harper, of Bedford, one daughter, Helen Harper-Rebok of Brownsville, Texas, six grand children, Rob Harper of Atlanta, GA, Mike Harper, Bedford; Francie H. Morris and her husband, Gerald, Bedford; Kristen Harper and her fiancé Dan Shelton of Fort Wayne IN; James Harper, Bedford; Stephen Forbes Rebok, Brownsville, TX; stepgrandson, Michael A. Rebok, Steelton, PA, four great grand children, Thomas Pittman, Bedford; Krystle, Zachery, and Robert Williams, of Fort Wayne, IN, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grand nieces and nephews. The family will be receiving visitors on Tuesday evening, May 2, 2006, between 7 to 9 p.m. at Peaks Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of her Life will be conducted at the Peaks Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Larry Mills officiating. Burial will follow at the Peaks Community Cemetery on Kelso Mill Road in Bedford. Family and Friends are invited to attend a finger food reception at the church following the burial.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Peaks Presbyterian Church, 1687 Kelso Mill Road Bedford, VA 24523 ; Gallaudet University Gallaudet Alumni Fund 800 Florida Avenue Washington, D. C. 20002; Portway Baptist Church, 2000 N Minnesota Avenue Brownsville, TX 78521; APC Home Health Services Inc. 285 Kings Highway Brownsville, TX 78521 or to your favorite charity. The family wishes to thank all of those who so diligently and faithfully worked with Mom to keep her as comfortable as possible, all those who came to visit, called, sent cards, letters, or E-Mails. Your kindness and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. For those who wish to send condolences, the funeral arrangements are under the Direction of Chris Burch of Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main Street, Bedford, VA, 540-586-7360.
Helen, who had moved there to teach deaf children, and to help establish the Regional Day School for the Deaf. They enjoyed the climate so much, that after only one month, Bob and Liz hurried back to Bedford, sold the farm to the Key Family-Tony and Margaret Key-Mayhew, and moved to Brownsville, Texas where they lived happily together until Bob died in 1999. They were married for 57 years. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Robert Sherman (Bobby, Bob) Harper, of Brownsville, Texas, formerly of Bedford, her parents Charlie T. and Bessie Forbes Howell, three brothers and two sisters-in law, Ronald and Hallie B. Howell of Portsmouth, Roy and Mamie Howell, Harold Forbes Howell, one sister and brother-in law, Hazel and Madison Cottrell all of Bedford, one son, Lewis Sherman Harper, one soninlaw, Chester (Chet) T. Rebok of Brownsville, Texas, one extremely special nephew, James "Charlie" Cottrell and one loving niece, Virginia Medora (Ginny Mae) Cottrell-Crawford. Elizabeth is survived by one sister-in-law, Carrie Toms-Howell, Bedford; one son and daughter-inlaw, Tommy and Barbara Harper, of Bedford, one daughter, Helen Harper-Rebok of Brownsville, Texas, six grand children, Rob Harper of Atlanta, GA, Mike Harper, Bedford; Francie H. Morris and her husband, Gerald, Bedford; Kristen Harper and her fiancé Dan Shelton of Fort Wayne IN; James Harper, Bedford; Stephen Forbes Rebok, Brownsville, TX; stepgrandson, Michael A. Rebok, Steelton, PA, four great grand children, Thomas Pittman, Bedford; Krystle, Zachery, and Robert Williams, of Fort Wayne, IN, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grand nieces and nephews. The family will be receiving visitors on Tuesday evening, May 2, 2006, between 7 to 9 p.m. at Peaks Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of her Life will be conducted at the Peaks Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Larry Mills officiating. Burial will follow at the Peaks Community Cemetery on Kelso Mill Road in Bedford. Family and Friends are invited to attend a finger food reception at the church following the burial.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Peaks Presbyterian Church, 1687 Kelso Mill Road Bedford, VA 24523 ; Gallaudet University Gallaudet Alumni Fund 800 Florida Avenue Washington, D. C. 20002; Portway Baptist Church, 2000 N Minnesota Avenue Brownsville, TX 78521; APC Home Health Services Inc. 285 Kings Highway Brownsville, TX 78521 or to your favorite charity. The family wishes to thank all of those who so diligently and faithfully worked with Mom to keep her as comfortable as possible, all those who came to visit, called, sent cards, letters, or E-Mails. Your kindness and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. For those who wish to send condolences, the funeral arrangements are under the Direction of Chris Burch of Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main Street, Bedford, VA, 540-586-7360.
Elizabeth Jane "Liz" Howell Harper ,84,,of Brownsville, Texas, formerly of Bedford, Virginia, entered into Eternal Rest at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2006, at the Brownsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Liz passed away after suffering a massive stroke to the right side of her brain on Sunday, March 19, 2006. Elizabeth Jane Howell Harper, daughter of the late Charlie T. and Bessie Forbes Howell of Bedford County Virginia, was born on March 21, 1922 at her family's home on Sharps Mountain Road. At the age of four, Liz's family learned that she was deaf. However, she still walked every day through fields, climbed over fences, and even struggled through the snow to attend public school at the one-room schoolhouse in Penicks later known as the Kirkwood Home. This was Liz's source of education until she was twelve when her dad drove her 80, "Bumpity-bump," miles over rough, and crooked mountain roads in order for his daughter to go to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB) in Staunton, Virginia. Elizabeth Jane Howell graduated with honors in June 1940. She went on to further her education at Gallaudet College (University) in Washington, D.C. (The only university in the world established strictly for students who are deaf). After failing both Algebra, and Latin, Liz went back to Bedford to become the "blushing" bride of the late Robert Sherman (Bob or Bobby) Harper at the Peaks Presbyterian Church on June 17, 1942. To assist in maintaining the farm records, and perform bookkeeping tasks, Liz attended Philips School of Business where she earned a certificate in Bookkeeping, and Business Finance. Among her many activities on the farm, Liz enjoyed taking pictures with the Bedford Camera Club, planting flowers, and shrubs, participating as a member of the Lisbon Garden Club, planning for their annual Flower Shows, decorating churches for all occasions. With Love and Grace, Liz performed her weekly duties, which included teaching an all "deaf" Sunday School class at Peaks Presbyterian Church, Bedford in the mornings, and directing an all deaf choir at both Saint John's Episcopal Church in Roanoke in the afternoons, and at Christ's Episcopal Church in Lynchburg every Sunday night. In September 1975, Bob and Liz drove their first Sportscoach Motorhome to Brownsville, Texas to visit their daughter,
Helen, who had moved there to teach deaf children, and to help establish the Regional Day School for the Deaf. They enjoyed the climate so much, that after only one month, Bob and Liz hurried back to Bedford, sold the farm to the Key Family-Tony and Margaret Key-Mayhew, and moved to Brownsville, Texas where they lived happily together until Bob died in 1999. They were married for 57 years. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Robert Sherman (Bobby, Bob) Harper, of Brownsville, Texas, formerly of Bedford, her parents Charlie T. and Bessie Forbes Howell, three brothers and two sisters-in law, Ronald and Hallie B. Howell of Portsmouth, Roy and Mamie Howell, Harold Forbes Howell, one sister and brother-in law, Hazel and Madison Cottrell all of Bedford, one son, Lewis Sherman Harper, one soninlaw, Chester (Chet) T. Rebok of Brownsville, Texas, one extremely special nephew, James "Charlie" Cottrell and one loving niece, Virginia Medora (Ginny Mae) Cottrell-Crawford. Elizabeth is survived by one sister-in-law, Carrie Toms-Howell, Bedford; one son and daughter-inlaw, Tommy and Barbara Harper, of Bedford, one daughter, Helen Harper-Rebok of Brownsville, Texas, six grand children, Rob Harper of Atlanta, GA, Mike Harper, Bedford; Francie H. Morris and her husband, Gerald, Bedford; Kristen Harper and her fiancé Dan Shelton of Fort Wayne IN; James Harper, Bedford; Stephen Forbes Rebok, Brownsville, TX; stepgrandson, Michael A. Rebok, Steelton, PA, four great grand children, Thomas Pittman, Bedford; Krystle, Zachery, and Robert Williams, of Fort Wayne, IN, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grand nieces and nephews. The family will be receiving visitors on Tuesday evening, May 2, 2006, between 7 to 9 p.m. at Peaks Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of her Life will be conducted at the Peaks Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Larry Mills officiating. Burial will follow at the Peaks Community Cemetery on Kelso Mill Road in Bedford. Family and Friends are invited to attend a finger food reception at the church following the burial.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Peaks Presbyterian Church, 1687 Kelso Mill Road Bedford, VA 24523 ; Gallaudet University Gallaudet Alumni Fund 800 Florida Avenue Washington, D. C. 20002; Portway Baptist Church, 2000 N Minnesota Avenue Brownsville, TX 78521; APC Home Health Services Inc. 285 Kings Highway Brownsville, TX 78521 or to your favorite charity. The family wishes to thank all of those who so diligently and faithfully worked with Mom to keep her as comfortable as possible, all those who came to visit, called, sent cards, letters, or E-Mails. Your kindness and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. For those who wish to send condolences, the funeral arrangements are under the Direction of Chris Burch of Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main Street, Bedford, VA, 540-586-7360.
Helen, who had moved there to teach deaf children, and to help establish the Regional Day School for the Deaf. They enjoyed the climate so much, that after only one month, Bob and Liz hurried back to Bedford, sold the farm to the Key Family-Tony and Margaret Key-Mayhew, and moved to Brownsville, Texas where they lived happily together until Bob died in 1999. They were married for 57 years. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Robert Sherman (Bobby, Bob) Harper, of Brownsville, Texas, formerly of Bedford, her parents Charlie T. and Bessie Forbes Howell, three brothers and two sisters-in law, Ronald and Hallie B. Howell of Portsmouth, Roy and Mamie Howell, Harold Forbes Howell, one sister and brother-in law, Hazel and Madison Cottrell all of Bedford, one son, Lewis Sherman Harper, one soninlaw, Chester (Chet) T. Rebok of Brownsville, Texas, one extremely special nephew, James "Charlie" Cottrell and one loving niece, Virginia Medora (Ginny Mae) Cottrell-Crawford. Elizabeth is survived by one sister-in-law, Carrie Toms-Howell, Bedford; one son and daughter-inlaw, Tommy and Barbara Harper, of Bedford, one daughter, Helen Harper-Rebok of Brownsville, Texas, six grand children, Rob Harper of Atlanta, GA, Mike Harper, Bedford; Francie H. Morris and her husband, Gerald, Bedford; Kristen Harper and her fiancé Dan Shelton of Fort Wayne IN; James Harper, Bedford; Stephen Forbes Rebok, Brownsville, TX; stepgrandson, Michael A. Rebok, Steelton, PA, four great grand children, Thomas Pittman, Bedford; Krystle, Zachery, and Robert Williams, of Fort Wayne, IN, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grand nieces and nephews. The family will be receiving visitors on Tuesday evening, May 2, 2006, between 7 to 9 p.m. at Peaks Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of her Life will be conducted at the Peaks Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Larry Mills officiating. Burial will follow at the Peaks Community Cemetery on Kelso Mill Road in Bedford. Family and Friends are invited to attend a finger food reception at the church following the burial.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Peaks Presbyterian Church, 1687 Kelso Mill Road Bedford, VA 24523 ; Gallaudet University Gallaudet Alumni Fund 800 Florida Avenue Washington, D. C. 20002; Portway Baptist Church, 2000 N Minnesota Avenue Brownsville, TX 78521; APC Home Health Services Inc. 285 Kings Highway Brownsville, TX 78521 or to your favorite charity. The family wishes to thank all of those who so diligently and faithfully worked with Mom to keep her as comfortable as possible, all those who came to visit, called, sent cards, letters, or E-Mails. Your kindness and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. For those who wish to send condolences, the funeral arrangements are under the Direction of Chris Burch of Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 317 W. Main Street, Bedford, VA, 540-586-7360.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
