Emma Nell Harper

Emma Nell Harper was born on March 6, 1928 in Bartlett, Texas and grew up on the family farm in nearby Donahoe before moving to Austin, Texas in 1947. She passed peacefully from this Earth in her sleep on October 13, 2020 at the age of 92.

She was preceded in death by her father George Elbert Leatherman; by her mother Ola Mae Leatherman; by her brothers Luke Jasper Leatherman and Gibbs Leatherman; by her sisters Norma Lee Leschber and Agnes McAndrew; and, in December 2012 by RS Harper, her loving husband of 65 years. She is survived by her brother Clem Leatherman; by her sister and brother-in-law Thyra and Hardy Whitfield; by her brother-in-law Lyall McAndrew; by her daughter Deborah and son Darrell; by her other “daughters” Pam Harper and Melissa Stephenson; by her granddaughter Elizabeth; by her grandson Chase, his wife Melissa, and those three great-grandchildren whom she adored: Archie, Ellie, and her namesake, Emma.

She immensely enjoyed her work in the Education Placement Department at the University of Texas, and retired in 1994 after 25 years of service. In her retirement, she enjoyed good health and free time, and every summer she and RS would pack the grandkids into their RV and travel the United States. When not traveling, she loved sewing, baking, tending her flower gardens, helping people, and generally being the type of person one wanted for a neighbor. Emma was deeply appreciative of the friendship with her own good neighbors: Jan Dawes, and Richard and Merle Moore.

A compassionate woman, secure in her Christian faith, Emma never turned away someone in need. She took folks into her home without hesitation, sometimes for extended periods, to provide comfort and shelter during troubled times; there was always room for one more at her table. She loved her extended family and looked forward to family reunions, both large and small, and she was a treasure trove of family knowledge. Beyond family she had a keen interest in politics, supporting the national Democratic Party and happily mailed her ballot last week.

Emma was loved by many and is already deeply, deeply missed.

A graveside visitation and memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 21st at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas. Interment next to her beloved husband will follow services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Meals on Wheels or Central Texas Food Bank.

You may visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com to share condolences.

Upon death, all return to the place they were before birth; peace and love prevail.