Mary Ben Garrett Harper, age 106, died peacefully at home on June 10, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Athens, Alabama, on April 28, 1916, where she attended high school and college. At 18 she graduated from Athens College for Women, one of the oldest women’s colleges in the United States. She lettered in basketball and tennis.
Mary met Nick Harper in Decatur, Alabama, and they married in 1936. Mary traveled with Nick for several years until they decided to start a family and settled down in Decatur. They moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1945, along with her parents and her sister and family. Her father built houses for all of them, next door to each other. Mary was still living in the house her father built when she died.
Mary is survived by her daughters, Mary Ann Corbett and Lynn Harper. There has never been a more devoted and loving mother. Mary’s daughter Lynn has Down’s syndrome, and because of Mary’s devotion she became a beautiful, high-functioning adult. They traveled all over the U.S., camping, bowling, and tirelessly being involved in all kinds of activities. But Mary still found time to play with her loving grandchildren. They always wanted to go to “Mama’s house.” She loved to play in the mud with them and do whatever made them happy!
Mary attended Southside Baptist Church until Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church was formed, where she was a member for 72 years and made many lifelong friends. An active member, she sang in the Hallelujah Choir, was president of her Women’s Missionary Circle, served on the Bereavement Team, and taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.
Mary really enjoyed playing bridge and played often. She also laughed and talked frequently about how much fun she had selling real estate at Century 21 Atkins Realty and wanted to write a book about her 25 years in sales.
Mary was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Wendell Nick (Daddy Pops) Harper; parents Benjamin and Etna Garrett; and sister Bessie Riggsbee. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by her loves—her grandchildren Bobby Corbett (Stephanie) and Emily Ann Zinsmeister (Todd); great-grandchildren Erin Taylor Corbett, Nicholas Joel Zinsmeister, and Garrett Campbell Corbett; and three nieces and three nephews including William Garrett and Andrew Riggsbee II.
She was truly a faithful Christian who loved the Lord, and she was a member of the “Greatest Generation”!
A memorial service for Mary will be held Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, 4001 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida.
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