Myrtle Harper

Mrs. Myrtle Newberry Harper, age 92, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2013. Services for Mrs. Harper will be held Wednesday, July 24, 2013, 11:00 a.m., graveside, in Long Branch Cemetery, Cairo, Georgia. The Rev. Jeff Ezell will be officiating. Gary Hatcher, Terry Collins, Vic Harper, Garrett Harper, Terrance Collins, and Carl Collins will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday evening, at Long Branch Baptist Church. Myrtle Lorene Newberry was born in Grady County, Georgia, on August 18, 1920, to Lonnie Malone Newberry and Clara Tinsley Newberry. She was married to Johnsie Allen Harper, who preceded her in death in 1983. She was a member of Long Branch Baptist Church. Mrs. Harper loved to cook, fish and work in her garden. She was also a talented quilter. Those close to Myrtle lovingly called her, "Turtle" . "Turtle" will be missed by the many friends and family she loved so much. Myrtle Harper is survived by her daughter, Betty Jo Lee and son-in-law, Carl of Cairo, Georgia; grandchildren, Deborah Lee Hatcher and husband Gary of Cairo, Linda Gayle Collins and husband Terry of Cairo, Vic Allen Harper and wife Rachel of Thomasville, Georgia, Garrett Malone Harper and wife Lisa of Coolidge, Georgia, and Angie Fletcher of Columbus, Georgia; eight great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters, brother, son, William Malone Harper and daughter, Dora Rebecca Glass.