Mary Harper

Mary Juanita Harper, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Feb. 3, 1920, in Fancy Farm, Ky., to Raymond S. and Anna M. Carico Elder. She was raised in Paducah, Ky., and moved to Cape Girardeau in 1965.

She and Willard Wilson Harper were married Oct. 29, 1950, in Corinth, Miss. He preceded her in death June 12, 1984.

Harper was a cook supervisor for Southeast Missouri State University for 11 years, retiring in 1979. She was also a member of St. Mary Cathedral.

Survivors include one son, Don (Ruth) Harper of Cape Girardeau; five grandchildren, Bobby (Bonnie) Harper, Roy (Shawn) Harper, both of Cape Girardeau, Candi (Robert) Wright of Fort Knox, Ky., Mike and Benjamin Buckman of Kentucky; four great-grandchildren, Jonathan Sullivan, Ashlea Taylor, both of Cape Girardeau, Kristen Wright and Robert Wright, both of Fort Knox; one great-great-grandchild, Dakota Godwin of Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, Raymond E. and William L. Buckman; one daughter, Shirley A. Buckman; and one brother, Joseph M. Elder.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Cathedral, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating.

Burial will follow at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Paducah at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Mary Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.