Mrs. Fannie Juanita Althea Boger Harper, 82, passed peacefully into our Lord’s eternal care on Sunday April 14, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 24, 1941 in Thomasville, NC. She was nurtured and raised by her Mother Mrs. Ella Hoskins Boger Eskridge, and loving stepfathers Benjamin Boger and Claude Eskridge who all preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her brother Eugene Boger. She was also nurtured as a young mother and wife by her loving in-laws, the late William and Dorothy Harper and was very close to the Harper side of her family as well where the love and companionship of her husband’s family was genuine. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Bettie Boger Spencer of High Point, NC, and Mrs. Pat Adderton of Manhattan, NY.

She graduated in 1961 from Church St. High School in Thomasville NC. It was there in 1957 where she met and fell in love with her classmate and future life partner at the age of 15, Ralph Harper who survives of the home. They were wed in holy matrimony on December 15, 1962 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Thomasville and after her husband’s military service and ensuing employment with the High Point Police Department they moved to High Point, NC in 1965, where she spent the remainder of her life helping to raise their six children.

She occasionally worked outside the home in medical care and as a textile worker, but as she and Ralph mutually agreed she spent the great majority of her life as a homemaker, being the “Proverbs 31” woman, mother, and wife that she always aspired to be, especially as Ralph’s vocation required extensive travel and odd hours.

Mrs. Harper placed her trust in Jesus at the tender age of 14, and lived for Christ until He welcomed her home. She grew up in Bethel Tabernacle Church in Thomasville, and helped serve in other churches of the Evangelical Holiness and Missionary Association, such as Scales Chapel in Winston-Salem, NC and Beulah Tabernacle in High Point. She served in many roles at the local church level as well as for the Association. Her testimony and boldness for Christ was proclaimed to just about everyone she met including neighbors, friends, and strangers. She proclaimed the Gospel message to her entire family in and outside of her household. Mrs. Harper facilitated many summer backyard Bible classes for the neighborhood youth in the areas of Willow Place and Five Points Neighborhoods, called Good News Clubs, affecting many today who credit her influence for their own Christian faith as adults. She even conducted biblical seminars and workshops at various conferences, including Cedine Bible Camp in Spring City Tennessee, teaching women and youth about living for Christ. After faithfully attending the family camps and women’s retreats for years and her nest emptied, she would along with Ralph volunteer for some 37 consecutive years at Cedine Bible Camp annually. Later in life she would also serve at Central Alliance Church and Life on Lexington, of High Point, and at the time of death was a member of Community Bible Church, where she was a faithful attendee until her physical condition kept her homebound.

In addition to her Husband and Sisters, She leaves to cherish her memory five sons and daughters-in-law; Martin (Angel) Harper of Winston-Salem, NC; Michael (Rosa) Harper of High Point NC; Mitchell (Jennifer) Harper of Las Vegas, NV; Milton (Serelda Lynn) Harper of High Point; Melvin (special companion Shalanda McRae) Harper of High Point; one Daughter and Full-time Caregiver Marsha Lynn Harper of the home, and Grandson and Caregiver Khalik Harper also of the home. The realities of life are not always perfect, yet Mrs. Harper loved and was equally loved by former daughters-in-law as well. Additionally, She is survived by 25 grandchildren, and 43 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Also cherishing her memory are three very close friends, Mrs. Ruth “Sis” Shavis of Thomasville, Mrs. Anne Brown of Charlotte, NC, and Mrs. Marylyn Barber of High Point.

The Homegoing Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Community Bible Church, 4125 Johnson St., High Point, NC 27265. Interment will follow at Carolina Biblical Gardens. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. and other times at the residence.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cedine Bible Camp, Spring City TN, or Hospice Home at High Point.