Lula Mae Harper

Lula Mae Harper, 86, of Manhattan, passed away Thursday, May 24th, at her residence. She was a graduate from the Manhattan Vocational Technical College, where she became an LPN, working for the former Memorial Hospital in Manhattan for 30 years, 1 month and 19 days. Lula Mae Richardson was born in Cass County, Texas on February 24, 1926, the daughter of the late Robert and Phebie (Mayberry) Richardson. She grew up in Cass County, Texas and attended a local country school. On February 6, 1944 she married Ferris 'Fess' Harper, they moved to Kansas City in 1947 and to Manhattan in 1949 where they have lived ever since. Mr. Harper died on November 14, 2010. She was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Manhattan, where she taught Sunday School, was a member of the choir, and a past president of the Mission. Mrs. Harper's greatest hobby was fishing with her husband, Ferris. Lula is survived by two daughters, Linda Lucas, of Manhattan, Ruthie, wife of Dale Guliford, of Manhattan; four sons John, husband of Linda Harper, of Manhattan, Robert, husband of Debbie Harper, of Manhattan; Ray J., husband of Martha Harper, of Manhattan and Craig Harper, of St. George; one sister, Margaret Lawson, of Dayton, Ohio; many grandchildren, great grandchildren & great-great grandchildren as well as a host of many nieces, nephews & cousins. Mrs. Harper was preceded in death by her husband, Ferris 'Fess' Harper; her parents; and her sister, Mary Helen Taylor. Friends are also invited to call on Thursday from 9:00am to 8:00pm, with family present from Thursday 6:00 to 8:00pm at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation. Funeral services will be held at the Pilgrim Baptist Church in Manhattan at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 1st, with burial following at the Sunrise Cemetery. The family request donations to Pilgrim Baptist Church in memory of their mother.