Bertha Mae Harper

Bertha Harper was born to Daniel and Bonnie Elliott on January 15, 1948 in Willcox, AZ. Bertha later moved to Tucson where she met and married John Harper and shared a union of 32 years together. Bertha and John raised 2 wonderful children, Carmella and Jonathan. Bertha proudly served 20 years with the Pima County Jail as an Intake Support Specialist. Bertha was a faithful and dutiful servant of the Lord and her church of over 40 years, The Greater Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ, where she was an active member and Missionary until her health would no longer permit. But she never waivered in her Christian faith.

Bertha would like for you to know that her work here on Earth is done. She has received a new calling, a new mission. She is in heaven, and yes, heaven is real, and she is doing just fine. She was preceded in death by her family members Daniel Elliott Sr.; Daniel Elliott Jr.; Esther Thomas Rakestraw; Joella Rakestraw; Cicero Rakestraw; Arthur Rakestraw; and Sammie Rakestraw.

Momsipoo, we want you to know that you were a wonderful and supportive wife who faithfully honored your wedding vows. You were the best mother Carmella and Jonathan could have ever asked for. And you were the best Maw-Maw to Julian and Jaxon. Your mother, sisters and brothers will remember you as the strong and beautiful oldest sibling matriarch who had the greatest smile, the highest cheekbones, the warmest eyes, and the swiftest left hook.

Bertha worked very hard all her life, up until the very end on May 11, 2015. She made a difference in every life she touched. She leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Bonnie Elliott; her husband, John Harper; her daughter, Carmella Essien; her son, Jonathan Harper (Erica); her 2 grandsons, Julian and Jaxon; her sisters and brothers, Josephine Cox (Horace); Mary Ervin (Charles); Joann Jones; Christine Eason (Roy); Juanita Easley; Wayne Elliott (Patricia); Linda Hills; Pearl Elliott; Dyan Elliott; Kathy Grigsby; Margaret Humphrey (Earl); Danny Elliott (Mary); her sister-in-law Sharlene Price; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, church family, and friends.

"From your Sister Pearl "