Della Frances Harper, 91, of Memphis, Missouri, died at the Scotland County Hospital in Memphis on Wednesday, March 6, 2013.

She was born April 25, 1921, at the family farm in rural Wyaconda, Missouri, to Louis E. and Alta Mae Billings Bertram. She grew up in the Wyaconda area and was a graduate of Wyaconda High School, Class of 1939. She played basketball for the Wyaconda Wildcats on the outdoor court, many times using Model T lights to finish games.

Della married George Edwin "Bootjack" Harper on June 10, 1939, at the family home. To this union two children were born. She enjoyed being a farm wife, beautician, school bus driver and assisting her husband with the work around the farm. She also enjoyed gardening and visiting. She was a member of the Prairie View United Methodist Church and later transferred her membership to the Memphis United Methodist Church. Della's greatest pleasure was seeing her grandchildren and following their many activities. In her later years she enjoyed playing cards and going to the Scotland County Senior Center.

She is survived by a daughter, Myrna McVey and her husband, Gerald, of West Point, Iowa; a son, Richard Harper and his wife, Mary Lou, of Memphis, Missouri and five grandchildren: Curtis McVey and his wife, Jackie, of West Point, Iowa; Douglas McVey and his wife, Michelle, of Oak Harbor, Washington; Eric McVey and his wife, Delores, of Ames, Iowa; Dana Kapp and her husband, Andy, of Clarksdale, Missouri and Dawn Triplett and her husband, Jamie, of Rutledge, Missouri and nine great grandchildren: Alexander, Joshua, Andrew, Jeremy, Natalie, Madison, Luke, Emma and Lauren. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding Della in death were her parents, husband, a brother, Richard Bertram and two sisters: Rilla Mae Ludwick and Caladona Overfield.

Della Frances (Bertram) Harper obituary, Memphis, Missouri, Memphis Democrat, 14 mar 2013