Bobby Joe Harper

Bobby Joe Harper age 87, was born on July 26, 1927 at his parents' home on Route1, Box 291 in Steele, Missouri in the bootheel area of the state. Up until the age of 18 Bobby went to school and helped with the farming. At age 18 Bobby enlisted in the Army at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on November 14, 1945 where he went through basic training and became a rifleman in the infantry. Bobby was discharged from the Army on January 16, 1946 at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in Arkansas with the rank of Private due to the draw down in Army troops after the end of WWII. While in the Army Bobby received the World War II Victory Medal. Once discharged from the Army Bobby reenlisted into the Air Force at Camp Joseph T. Robinson on January 17, 1946 and went into training to become an airplane mechanic. On April 9, 1946 Bobby left the United States for service in the Occupational Army in Germany. While in the Occupational Army Bobby received the Army Of Occupation Medal. Bobby left Germany to return to the United States on May 11, 1948 and arrived in the United States on May 22, 1948. Bobby was discharged from the Air Force on June 15, 1948 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey with the rank of Private. All total Bobby spent 2 years, 6 months, and 6 days in the Armed Forces of the United States. Once Bobby was discharged from the Air Force he went back to school and graduated at South Pemiscot High School. After graduation from high school Bobby traveled to Nashville, TN to go to college at Trevecca Nazarene College where he received a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Divinity.

It was while he was attending college at Trevecca that Bobby visited Inglewood Church of the Nazarene where he met and started dating Bessie J Henry. After a 2 year courtship Bobby and Bessie were married on July 26, 1953 at Inglewood Church of the Nazarene where Bobby and Bessie remained members. Bobby served as a pastor at churches in both Missouri and West Tennessee. After serving as a pastor Bobby went to work at Colonial Bakery in Nashville, TN and retired after working 30 years. Bobby and Bessie had two children, Melvin "LeRoy" Harper who married "Barbara" Ellen McKay and had a daughter "Chelsea" Nicole Harper, and Richard "Ricky" Allen Harper. Bobby passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2015.

Bobby was preceded in death by parents, Marvin H Harper & Minnie Belle Brooks Harper; brothers and sisters, "Roy" (Ruth) Winfield Harper, "Frank" (Ruth) Brooks Harper, Troy "Raymond" Harper, Minnie "Kathleen" Harper (Marshall) Boroughs, "Ruth" Rita Harper(Clarence) Toohey, Mary "Christine" Harper, Louis Marvin "L.M." (Kay) Harper, Guy Reginald Harper, Marvin H Harper, Jr. "Junior"; parents-in-law, Mr and Mrs Melvin Lee Henry; brother-in-law, Michael L Henry.

Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Bessie J Henry Harper; his oldest son Melvin "Leroy" Harper and his wife Barbara; youngest son, Richard "Ricky" Allen Harper; granddaughter, "Chelsea" Nicole Harper; brothers-in-law Kenneth (Barbara) Henry, Larry (Michie) Henry, Troy Henry, Roger (Vanessa) Henry; sisters-in-law, Ruth McDonald, Barbara (James) Denning, Carolyn (Anthony) Bishop, and Debi Cook Rife (Tracy), Dorothy Harper(Wife of Guy Reginald Harper), Dorothy Harper (Wife of Marvin H. Harper, Jr. "Junior") and a host of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Bobby's honor to Inglewood Church of the Nazarene.

Visitation Wednesday, January 21st, 4pm until 8pm and 1 hr prior to service on Thursday, January 22nd, at Hermitage Funeral Home.

Funeral Service Thursday January 22nd 12 pm with Pastor Andy Ingram officiating at Hermitage Funeral Home Chapel. Entombment will follow the service at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. Pall Bearers: Rene Henry (Nephew), Robin Henry (Nephew), Billy Henry (Nephew), Jason Cook (Nephew), Anthony Bishop (Brother-In-Law), and James Denning (Brother-In-Law).

Address for Hermitage Funeral Home and Hermitage Memorial Gardens: 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN 37138

Phone Number: (615) 889-0361

Address for Inglewood Church of the Nazarene: 3936 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN 37216

Phone Number: (615) 262-3514