Esther Willadene Harper

Esther Willadene (Hunt) Harper, 92, of Hickory died on August 23, 2024. She was born on June 10, 1932 in Ryan, WVA, to the late Esten Robert Hunt and Gertrude Lee Hunt.

Mrs. Harper retired from West Virginia Public Schools after 23 years working as a reading teacher. Following her move to Hickory, she served in the preschools of First United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church. Mrs. Harper was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, Newton.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Earl Harper; a son, David Harper; a son-in-law, Greg Moss and a brother-in-law, De Anderson.

Those left to cherish her memory include, 2 daughters, Sandra Harper Jahn (Tom) of Hickory and Denise Ann Harper Moss of Lake Wales, FL; a son, Douglas Harper (Denise) of Newton; grandchildren Michael Jahn (Janelle) of Denver, NC, Jennifer Jahn Doherty (Jason) of Raleigh, Christopher Jahn (Allison) of Savannah, GA, Andrea Harper McDonagh (Patrick) of Dublin, OH, Daniel Harper (Kayla) of Fort Mill, SC, William Harper (Allison) of Atlanta, GA, Amanda Moss Novick (Louis) of Hickory, Adam Moss of Norman, OK, Michelle Harper Henline (Steven) of Hickory, and Erica Harper Long (Josh) of Hickory; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; her sister, Betty Hunt Anderson of Spencer, WV; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Harper will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Trinity Baptist Church in Newton with the Rev. Brant Hoots officiating. Burial will follow the service at Catawba Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Baptist Church of Newton.

Condolences may be left at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.

The Harper Family is under the care of Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations.