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SHELBY- Ray Edward Harper Jr., born May 14, 1938, departed from this life on April 14, 2015 in the presence of his family in Shelby.
Mr. Harper was well known locally as a musician that shared his gift of music in the Cleveland County community and beyond.
He retired as a music teacher for Cleveland County Schools many years ago with an excess of 30 years of service. In addition, he has served as a musician for Shiloh Baptist Church, Hopewell Baptist Church, Green Bethel Baptist Church, Salvation Gospel for Souls, Mission for Jesus Christ, Washington Baptist Church and many more. He was also a member of Shiloh Baptist Church.
Ray was educated in the Cleveland County School System. He also obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in music with honors from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University. He was devoted to music, faith and family.
He leaves to cherish his memory his five children, Caroline E. Harper 'D. Boot' of the home, Sara Harper Ramseur (Durell) of Shelby, Ray Harper III (Shauntona) of Charlotte, Sharon Harper McGuire of Shelby and Teresa Harper Vincent (Drewry) of Greensboro; a great number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother, Haywood Harper (Shirley) of Georgia; one sister, Dorothy Wigfall of New Jersey; and he also leaves fond memories with special friend Vivian Haynes. In addition, he has so many friends and extended family members that will cherish their memories with him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Gloria L. Harper; son, Raymond Lamar Harper; mother, Sarah Harper; father, Ray E. Harper Sr.; brother, Joe Harper; "adopted mother", Edna Canady; as well as his "adoptive father" Ernest Canady.
The funeral service will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2015, at 3 p.m., at Shiloh Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 2 – 3 p.m., at the church and at other times at the home of Ray E. Harper, 821 Surrey Dr., Shelby.
The family wants to extend a special thank you to Hospice Care, Chasity Mitchell, Vivian Haynes, Becky Shell, Deborah Manning and Dwight McGuire Jr., for the time and dedication during his illness.
Online condolences may be made at www.enloes.net. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Oh, I remembered being at Crest High School, 1967-1971. I played clarinet in the band with Mr. Harper being our leader. He was so great, and look forward to seeing him in Heaven in the future! Love ya, Gloria "Hallelujah " Blanton Mayhue!
Gloria B. Mayhue
April 11, 2023
I so appreciate Ray Harper! He was my band leader in Crest High School starting at 1967. I learned and played my clarinet. He was a great band leader in the high school. Oh, my class on June 5 this year 2021 is going to celebrate our 50th high school reunion meeting.
I so look forward to seeing Mr. Ray Harper in Heaven one day. I'll love to share with him all my times of playing piano and keyboard at different churches also. God bless you Mr. Harper, and I love Jesus too. Gloria "Hallelujah " Elizabeth Blanton Mayhue!
Gloria Blanton Mayhue
Student
April 11, 2021
My sweet Daddy ..... He touched so many lives !!!! I remember as a little girl riding in the big red van with equipment all in the back. I knew our dad was unique when I seen him get a blank sheet of white paper and moments later it turned into a music sheet with notes that he drew out on his own. He would say why waste money on a music book when you can listen to a song and make your own music sheet !!! The community knew him for his talent but we had the honor to know him as daddy and he was the perfect dad !!!! Im going to miss you daddy !!!!!!!!! Love you and save a spot for me on the heavenly choir !!!!
Sara Harper-Ramseur
May 2, 2015
He was such a great man! An extroidinary musician; a wonderful teacher/counselor; a devoted father; a favorite uncle; a faithful servant of God; and, Oh, what a loving friend! He was my constant friend/brother and I will miss him until I can see him again. May God keep & rest his soul as he signs him up for the Heavenly Band where he will surely glorify him with sweet music. Take your rest, Dear Brother Ray, In Peace. Charlotte Dixon
April 21, 2015
Mr Harper was a man. A man that I had respect for. I was a drummer in the Crest High band in 1967 when the school first opened. Mr Harper wore two hats then, as band leader to both Crest and Burns high schools. It was a difficult job during difficult times. Mr Harper was a teacher, a friend but I will always remember Mr. Harper as a man. Joe Runyan
April 20, 2015
Ray and I were childhood friends. Our adult life took us in different directions but I always tried to contact him whenever I returned to Shelby. R.I.P my friend. I'm sure you will be leading a band in Heaven
Ray Littlejohn
April 20, 2015
Mr. Harper was such a loving teacher who made each of us feel special! He will always have a special place in my heart! RIP Mr. Harper!
Kellie Long Childress
April 19, 2015
I have fond memories of Mr. Harper, from music at Casar school.He was very talented and no doubt inspired many people with his ability to teach through his music. Prayers are with your family.
Crystal Travis
April 18, 2015
Teresa and Family: our condolences to all of you at the loss of your Father. Allow God to comfort you and we are a call away for anything you may need or want.
Darlene, Nancy, Frances Staton, HInes, Jackson
April 18, 2015
I am so very sorry of your loss. What a great mentor he was to me. I truly appreciate his many lessons and encouragements in teaching music with my career. May God Bless this family. Desma Howell/Family
April 18, 2015
Mr. Harper was a great mentor and friend to me as I was growing up he will greatly missed praying for you in your time of loss.
Christina Jackson
April 18, 2015
So sorry for your loss. You are all in our prayers. The Hopper Family (Hopewell Baptist Church)
April 18, 2015
You are forever in my heart and you shall forever be missed you had a special gift that only God can give to forever share the love of music in ppls hearts. It takes a special person to teach that many kids music and still manage to be joyful and happy but he was always all those things then even after all that he'd turn around and still go to choir practice and be happy he was one of a kind and very blessed
Sharon Harper Mcguire
April 18, 2015
So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Harper.. He was a wonderful music teacher. I think of him every time I hear the songs he taught us back in the 70's at West Cleveland. May you find comfort in the fact that he is remembered so fondly by so many.
Becky Greene
April 18, 2015
So much I could say about Mr. Ray Harper. I remember as a little boy watching him play the organ. I also remember his red van. So I say Play On Mr. Harper for that heavenly choir!! Well done sir!!! Til we meet again!
Brandon Gill
April 18, 2015
Teresa, DJ, Sharon and family. Thinking of you all, may God comfort and strenghten you. Your Dad will be missed.
Patricia Griffin
April 18, 2015
I remember Mr. Harper in elementary school. Wow! Where has time gone? He was the most wonderful music teacher. He was so fun. Im really sorry for your loss.Good gracious i know hes really singing now.
susan bell
April 18, 2015
Sharon and family, sorry to hear of the passing of your father. May God comfort and keep you.
Sincerely, Sharon Griffin Crosby
April 17, 2015
Teresa, DJ, and Drew, Sorry to hear of the passing of your father. May God keep and comfort you all. Sincerely, Sharon Griffin Crosby
April 17, 2015
Amazing man....Amazing muscian..Truly a local legend.
Timothy Mitchell
April 17, 2015
My condolences go out to all of the Harper family. Ray Harper was a true legend!!
Jacqualine Goddard
April 17, 2015
Mr. Harper, I will never forget how much you believed in me, inspired me, and loved me. You taught me how to play the trumpet many years ago, and you loved to hear me play so much that you insisted I play your silver trumpet on special occasions. What an honor that was because I know how much that trumpet meant to you. I will miss you so much, but I will never forget you my friend. Melinda Setzer Jordan
April 17, 2015
Such a great man RIP Mr Harper you will be missed
ricky heavner
April 17, 2015
I remember Mr Harper at West Cleveland in Boiling Springs he always made beautiful music and was a very talented man. Pam Melton Philbeck
April 17, 2015
Mr. Harper and his family lived down the street from me growing up, his daughter Sarah and my sister were good friends..so I had the opportunity to come to know him. When it came time for a musician for my wedding I did not hesitate to contact Mr.Harper, he was so gracious and agreed to play for me, it was beautiful...he was a true talent. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sarah, and his family during this difficult time.
- Jessica (Hamrick) Towery
Jessica (Hamrick) Towery
April 17, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
randy ford
April 17, 2015
So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Harper. Prayers going out to the family.
Rita Haynes
April 17, 2015
Thank you for the music! You are now playing with our Heavenly Father.
Annette Pendergraft
April 17, 2015
I appreciate the teaching and and wonderful blessings of music in the life of Mr. Harper. He was my band director at Crest High from 1967 - 1971. I played first clarinet, and have wonderful memories of learning the "teaberry shuffle" as we marched. Oh my, that was truly a fun experience! I know that we can look forward to playing and singing in the praise band in Heaven with Mr. Harper. Love in Jesus Christ, Gloria Blanton Mayhue
Gloria Mayhue
April 17, 2015
Ray will truly be missed. He was always there when I needed him. Our choir will not be the same. He taught us so many songs. We were blessed too have him.
Jennie Poston
April 17, 2015
He was such an inspiration and one of the reasons I began singing. His talent touched so many students. Thank you for your gift of music, Mr. Harper
Selena Williams
April 17, 2015
He was one of a kind. He was a pleasure to be around. He made school worth going and brighter. He will be missed but never forgotten...
Lloyd Simpson
April 17, 2015
This is truly a sad day for me. Mr. Harper is one person who will never be forgotten. I can remember him sitting at the piano in my Chorus class at Burns High School with his legs crossed, & the expressions on his face if we didn't quite sing the right note or if our pitch was off, & the look on his face when we got it right! You can't forget his "raccoon" hat that he loved to wear in the winter months, the trip to Chapel Hill when the Bulldogs won the championship, & most importantly, his musical genius. Rest in Peace, Harpo. You will be missed by many.
Katrina Logan
April 17, 2015
RAY YOU WILL BE MISSED,YOU WERE SO GOOD TO PLAY FOR ANYONE WHO NEED YOU. I NO YOU WILL BE PLAYING THE GOOD OLD GOSPEL,AND MY SISTER IOLA WILL BE SINGING.
WE SER
SHIRLEY BRIDGES
April 17, 2015
Mr. Harper was my music teacher and I absolutely loved him!! We all did. He was such a great musician and he was so fun. Music was always my favorite because of him. Years later I still tell my kids how great he was. I know he is singing with Jesus today! Praise God!!
Jeanna Cook
April 17, 2015
I remember Mr.Harper fondly from Burns. My prayers to his family
April 17, 2015
Mr Harper was my music teacher at Casar Elementary. He was so passionate about music that his passion radiated on to his students. Thank you for sharing him with all of us, he had such a huge impact on so many lives. My prayers are with you.
Emily Mote
April 17, 2015
What a presence he was! A wonderful music teacher when I was young. Rest in peace.
Jennifer State
April 17, 2015
This is THE MAN that was so so so influential in the love of music that I have today. It breaks my heart that he is gone but the memories of his teachings will stay with me my entire life. I pray that his family will completely and totally understand the full impact that he has had on sooo many young lives that has carried us through to our adulthood.
So... Thank you so much Mr. Harper for not only your love of music but your willingness to instill that love into the hearts of so many...
Gina McFarland
April 17, 2015
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