Obituary for Joan Harper
Joan Gaskins Harper, 85, of Green Creek, North Carolina was called home to be with the LORD on November 14, 2023, surrounded by her family at home. She had lived in Harrisburg, Illinois most of her life until Jack Harper, her husband of 62 years, passed away on September 20, 2020 and she moved to NC to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She was born in Harrisburg on March 5, 1938 to the late Thoral Elwood and Maude Pauline (Logsdon) Gaskins.
Surviving are two sons, Charles (Valerie) Harper of Montrose, Colorado and Robert (Mary) Harper of Chesterfield, Missouri and one daughter, Martha (Wayne) Halford of Green Creek, North Carolina. She is survived by six grandchildren: Joe Yeahquo of Hendersonville, North Carolina, Scott (Karina) Harper of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Kate Harper of Westminster, Colorado, Cora (Dylan) Butler of Green Creek, North Carolina, and Mark Harper and Tommy Harper both of Chesterfield, Missouri. She is survived by two great granddaughters: Charlotte and Julia Butler. She is also survived by cousins: David (Bette) Beverly of Tallahassee, Florida, Robert (Mary Beth) Logsdon of Irving, Texas, and Tom and Joe Logsdon both of Shawneetown, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her sister, Shirley (Dan) Brown and by one granddaughter, Miranda Harper of Chesterfield, Missouri.
Joan was the student body secretary of her graduating class (1956) at Harrisburg Township High School and had served on their reunion committee until October 2020. She attended the Protestant Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Evansville, Indiana 1956-1958 and began nursing at Lightner Hospital and for numerous doctors after her three children started school. She was also an office manager for several doctors before becoming the Payroll Administrator for Sunshine Cleaning in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from July 1993-August 2005. After returning to Harrisburg, She and Jack managed The Bridge Medical Clinic in Harrisburg and she served on Harrisburg Medical Center’s Board of Directors from February 2006-December 2019. Her most important accomplishment came when she accepted JESUS as her personal LORD and SAVIOR and was saved on August 31, 2021 and was baptized on September 26, 2021 as a profession of her faith. What a glorious day that was! She attended Crossroads Baptist Church in Columbus, NC.
A celebration of life will be held graveside on Saturday, March 2, 2023 at Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg, Illinois with Pastor Nathan Deatrick officiating. Burial will follow the service. Arrangements are in the care of Stricklin Funeral Home of Harrisburg, Illinois. Times and fellowship following the service for Joan will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following foundations in memory of Joan Gaskins Harper. Both are very special to the family. The first foundation is Hospice of the Foothills. Mom received excellent care, love, compassion, and the most respect from Hospice. You can tell that this is their calling and not just a job. They became part of our family and we greatly appreciate all that they did for Mom and us.
The other association is The Alzheimer's Association. For those of you who don't know, Mom lived with Lewy Body Dementia. This evil disease destroys not just the mind but the body. No one should ever have to see a loved one die in such a manner and a cure must be found.
If you would like for family to receive an acknowledgement of either memorial, please include Joan’s daughter's address:
Martha Halford
259 Melissa Brooks Drive
Columbus, NC 28722