Barbara Agnes Harper

Though her "song" may have ended, the melody plays on. The memory we regard is filled with an abundance of love, laughter and admiration. Early in the morning of March 18, 2026 at Riddle Hospital in Media, PA after a sudden and brief illness at the age of 88, Barbara A. Harper departed this life.

Barbara White Harper was born in Sanford, NC on September 8, 1937 to the late Daniel and Lois White. At early ages she and her younger sister Helen (who predeceased her in 1970) joined Star of Hope Baptist Church where the family was active until they moved to NY. She was a brilliant, gifted student; the Lee High School valedictorian in 1955. In 1959 she received her bachelor's degree with honors from North Carolina College at Durham (now NCCU). She pledged their undergraduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., whose commitment to public service activities aligned with the values fostered in Barbara by family, church and community while growing up.

After college she moved to NY. She lived in Springfield Gardens (Jamaica, Queens) for almost 60 years after marrying Lommier Dean Harper, fondly known as L.D. in 1960. (He preceded her in death in 2008.) One daughter was born from this union, Lorraine Donette. As a working wife and mother Barbara maintained an "A" average while attending Adelphi University on Long Island earning a Master of Social Work She put that degree to work for over thirty years for New York City Department of Social Services - Child Welfare Administration, where she retired as a licensed social worker supervisor.

Music was always in Barbara's soul. In her teen years she sang and played piano for an ensemble at her church in NC . Later she was the pianist and choir director for the youth choir at Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church in Queens, NY for many years where her daughter & husband were members, However, she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for several years.

Barbara had a profound love for family, young people and their education. She provided limitless support and guidance to family members.

Those who remain to share the glory of her life and the sadness of her death include: her devoted daughter, Lorraine Harper Holley of Chadds Ford, PA (where Barbara last lived) and her Pride and Joy, her granddaughter Laurelle Day Holley of St. Croix, USVI and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

INTERMENT

Thursday, April 2, 2026

2:00PM

Mount Hope Cemetery

Hastings-on-Hudson, New York

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Barbara's honor by choosing from the following causes:

1) NCCU - her alma mater or ANY institution of higher learning
2) The NAACP - an organization near and dear to her heart.
3) www.usagainstalzheimers.org/