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TITUS HARPER Obituary
January 22, 1925 - October 15, 2016
Titus James Harper, went home to be with The Lord on October 15, 2016 surrounded by his family and dear friends. Born January 22, 1925, Titus was the eldest son of James Mitchell Harper and Nettie Cornelia (Williams) Harper, and was baptized at Shady Union Missionary Baptist Church, Surginer, Alabama.
He volunteered to serve in World War II at age 16. Titus served in Company B, 44th Engineer Battalion, 1872nd Division, U.S. Army, and was stationed in the Pacific Theater.
After military service, Titus completed high school at Thomasville (Alabama) Normal High School. Titus enrolled at North Carolina A&T College, and pledged the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1948, and earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture. Titus met Mable Erlynne Hendley, and married her on August 20, 1949. The couple were wed for 41 years, and to this union were born five children: Theophilus Charles (deceased), Ronald Brenard, Alyce Brenadette, Byron Lloyd, and Lisa Renee.
The couple moved to Gainesville, Florida. Titus earned his Master of Education at Florida A&M University before beginning a distinguished 36-year-long career with School Board of Alachua County, Florida in May 1956. Titus taught at Lincoln High School until the school's closure in 1963.
Titus was a member of the Biracial Committee for Civil Rights, working to increase voting opportunities for blacks and improve race relations in Alachua County. He was selected to serve as the first black dean of students at Gainesville High School when it integrated in 1964. Titus became dean of students at Westwood Middle School in 1984, and retired as dean of the W. Travis Lofton Center in 1992.
Titus and his brother-in-law, Thomas Coward, built the first black-owned shopping plaza in East Gainesville, where they opened and operated Kwik-Wash Laundromat, and leased space to various black-owned businesses on Northwest 8th Avenue.
Titus was a member of the Nu Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and was charter member and treasurer of B.P.O. Elks Lodge #1218, University City.
Titus was a member of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church for more than 50 years, where he served as a trustee, and in the Sunday School, choir, culinary and Gardenia Gardens ministries.
In 1994, Titus married Eva Cole Singleton, who survives him.
Titus was preceded in death by his parents, James Mitchell Harper and Nettie Cornelia Harper; sisters, Colonia Marguerite (Harper) Perry; and Mildred Altamese (Harper) Tapscott; and eldest son, Theophilus Charles Harper.
Titus is survived by a wife, Eva Cole Harper; his former wife, Mable Erlynne Harper; children, Ronald Harper, Brenadette Harper, Byron Harper, and Lisa (Troy) Clark; stepchildren, Tahra (William) Nichols and Keisha (Eric) Hunt; 18 grandchildren Dresdin (Kevin) Bray, Brooke (Chuck) Hobbs, Dr. Khalil Orsborn, Kamaria (Jared) Williams, Jeremy (Penny) Harper, Brandon (Nova) Harper, Khadija (Kevin) Camps, Dekarla Harper, Rachquel Harper, Sterling Harper, Nicholas Harper, Yeshuah Clark, Adaiah Clark, Shalom Clark, Mishael Clark, Jubilee Clark, Shadai Clark; Stephen Davis; two step-grandchildren, Cole Roxbury and Meredith Nichols; 14 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church members.
Memorial Services will be held at 2PM this Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 2505 N.E. 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL. Titus desired that his remains be returned home to Alabama. The family requests that all expressions of sympathy be sent to the church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for TITUS HARPER
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Carma DeBose
October 28, 2016
To the Harper Family
The sadness of the passing of your loved one is felt by many.
MY the thought that knowing that friends share in your sadness be of comfort to you.
Me. Harper will be remembered by the good things he did for the community and his church.
October 26, 2016
Mr. Harper you will be missed. You were an encouraging soul.
Peaches Godbolt
October 23, 2016
My condolences to the Harper family ,A great man who legacy will continue to live may God continue to strengthen you, Peaches Godbolt , Atlanta,Ga
Jordan & Shelia Bannister
October 23, 2016
To Byron Harper and his family,
We want to express our sincere condolences for the loss of your dad.
We pray that the many precious memories will bring you joy and help ease the pain in your heart.
Regina Lovings Morse (Brown)
October 23, 2016
To the family of Mr. Titus Harper, Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass of glory in the flower, we will ....find strength in what remains behind. WW
Dexter Howard
October 22, 2016
This is Yvonne Kinsey's oldest son Dexter Howard. I am an Assistant Cook at Oak Hammock in Skilled Nursing Department where Mr.Harper was not only a temporary resident, but simply passing through on his way to his Heavenly renovated Mention in Heaven which was creatively constructed by God Almighty Himself. Be encouraged brothers and sisters.......Home going is a Glorious Celebration......for we (believers in Christ) shall meet again ......... it's the ones that are coming into this world that we keep lifted up in prayer. I'm totally honored to have been given the opportunity to meet and shake hands with Mr. Titus in addition to he and his family being well acquainted with me and family. I respectfully dedicate the song "I Hope You Dance"sung by Gladys Knight. My prayers and best wishes go out to the entire Harper family.. .....Until we meet again......May God Bless you all and forever keep you all in perfect peace.
Adell Talley
October 22, 2016
Sorry for your loss, and may Mr Harper rest in paradise
Oliver and Marilyn -Watson Tucker and Family
October 21, 2016
To the entire Family, Our thoughts,prayers and love to you all our Father will see you through Trust in the Lord he knows and he Cares All things work together for good to them that love the Lord Mother Dora Watson and Family our families are forever binded together in LOVE!
Dgt. Tina Smith
October 21, 2016
To the family of the late Bro.Harper . IBPOE Of W Elks The memory will be keep sake with which we will never part, although God has you in his keeping , we will still have you in our heart ,may God continue to Bless you'll Dgt. Tina Smith
Robert Griffin
October 21, 2016
I am truly saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Harper. Our families were close. He will be missed. Our prayers go to the Harper family. Let us know if we can be of any help.
Gwendolyn Love
October 21, 2016
I am truly grateful to have had the privilege of knowing such a great man. You will truly be missed. My condolences and love to the family.
Carol Cato
October 21, 2016
To the family of Mr. Titus Harper. You have my deepest condolences. Mr Harper was a great educator , and community leader. He was very concerned about his family, friends and fellow man. He believed in black enterprises. As time goes by, we will always remember you. May you always to Rest In Peace.
Ethel Guinyard
October 21, 2016
May God ease your hearts with the love and memories that you created and shared with T.J. during this life's journey. Thank you for allowing my family to have shared many of those memories. May God grant him a peaceful resting place and the rewards of his care and love for his family and for service to the community. Amen.
Jerry Douglas
October 20, 2016
My parents were neighbors of Titus and Eve and cherished them both as friends. Over the years my father and Titus developed a fond friendship based on mutual respect as evidenced by the many times my father spoke of Titus. I first met Titus after my father's death several years ago and quickly understood the respect and admiration that my father held for him. Titus was truly a special man and and I will always be thankful for his friendship with my father.
Cole Childers
October 20, 2016
Mr Harper was one of my Deans at GHS, where I was a student ,in the early 70s.
There was plenty going on back then and he was friendly, fair and open minded.
Ten or so years later I had the opportunity to work besides him at W T Loften High School here in Gainesville.
He called me by my last name and was still the same kind man, steady as a rock, the kind of a man you could look up to and admire.
Dorothy Stevens
October 20, 2016
With Deepest Sympathy To Your Family.
The (Debbie) Leath Family
October 20, 2016
Deepest condolences to The Harper Family. May God bless and keep you during your period of bereavement.
Cynthia, Alpha, Samuel, Ralph & Tony Smith
October 20, 2016
Our deepest sympathy to the Harper family. Holdings to God's hands and he will strengthen you.
MRS.ARNOLD DORSEY.SR
October 20, 2016
HEARTFELT
Jacquelyn Williams
October 20, 2016
Deepest sympathies to The Harper Family. May God Continously Bless The Family in Your Time of Loss. Mr. Harper will truly be missed.
Kym & Gerald Mobley
October 20, 2016
May God continue to strength the family even in times like these. . Be encouraged that the good times that you shared with him , you will always cherish.
Debra Lamar-Randolph
October 20, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Tammy Williams
October 20, 2016
Rip
Rosemary Lawson-Davis
October 20, 2016
Our deepest sympathy at the passing of Mr. Harper. He was truly a wonderful, caring man. He will be truly missed. Ora Bell Lawson and Family
Earl Williams
October 20, 2016
When your legacy is greater than your life, you had and exemplary and noble existence. RIP
October 20, 2016
To the Harper family, may God give you the strength to endure such a huge lost. Your loved one (Mr. Harper) was a ONE of a kind man with morals, wisdom, fairness and strength. He always had a listening ear and would tell you how it was. I will always remember his wisdom, he always had time to listen. Rest In Heaven Mr. T. A great man who really earned his crown.
Jacqueline Williams, MD
October 20, 2016
Mr. Harper was a "Larger than Life" Man! He loved his Family and encouraged the Community. Sorry for your loss, Brenadette and Family. Prayers of comfort & hope,
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