Jerrel Seymour Harper, 71, of Ocilla, died Monday, January 1, 2007 at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Wednesday, January 3, at Spring Hill Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Ed McIntyre, Elder Jimmy Chapman, Rev. Jim McDuffie, and Rev. Virgil Purvis officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 Tuesday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Mr. Harper was born January 9, 1935, in Irwin County to the late Ludy Guy and Sarah Edna Seymour Harper. He was a 1953 graduate of Irwin County High School and attended Berry College. Mr. Harper retired after more than 21 years of service in the United States Navy, serving during the Korean War and the Vietnam War and attaining the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. After retiring from the military, he operated his family farm in Irwin County. He moved back to Irwin County in 1991 from Baxley, where he co-owned and operated Douglas & Harper Manufacturing. He was a member and Deacon of Henderson Chapel Primitive Baptist Church and led Bible study and was a member of the Exchange Club.
Mr. Harper is survived by his wife: Brenda Harper of Ocilla; daughters: Kellie Harper and Jana Harper both of Ocilla and Deborah Williams of Dublin; son: Jerry Harper of Baxley; 4 grandchildren; brothers: Lyte R. Harper and Ortiz (Janie) Harper, both of Ocilla; sisters: Alice (Sonny) Douglas of Baxley, GA and Margaret (Bob) Young of Kingsford, MI, and several nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James L. Harper.