Minister Patsy N. Harper

Minister Patsy N. Harper, our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at her home in Winchester, VA. After a brave fight with illness, Patsy entered into eternal rest at the age of 69 surrounded by her husband and children.

Patsy was born September 24, 1949, in Winchester VA, to George and Mattie B. Newman. On January 5, 1967, she married her best friend, Ottis O. Harper Sr., with whom she raised a family. She loved, honored, and cherished him, until they were parted by death.

Patsy attended Johnson Williams High School in Berryville, VA. She obtained her Associates Degree in Biblical Studies and Counseling Certification from the North Carolina College of Theology. Patsy worked in the banking industry for over 18 years. She also taught banking classes for Lord Fairfax Community College.

Patsy accepted Christ and joined Zion Baptist Church in 1971. She served faithfully in multiple capacities such as Youth Leader; Superintendent of Sunday School; President of the Deaconess Board; President of the Gospel Tones; Intercessory Prayer warrior; and an Instructor for the New Member's Class. On January 30, 2011, Patsy was licensed as a Minister at Zion. She served diligently as the Church Administrator and Executive Assistant to the Pastor, until her health began to fail.
Patsy was known to many as an intelligent, generous, and kind woman who inspired everyone that crossed her path with her faith and hope in God. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and mentor. She was serious about ministry and working for the Lord. She was a bibliophile and was very inquisitive.

Aunt Patsy, as she was affectionately known, was stylish and sophisticated. She enjoyed interior and exterior decorating. She especially appreciated decorating for special events at the church and for weddings. Patsy was a culinary enthusiast and loved having others try her creations. She truly exampled the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Janet Newman and Carol Patterson; and her daughter, Monique Harper.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories, her husband of 52 years; three children, Ottis O. Harper Jr. of Winchester, VA; Kevin J. Harper (Sherry) of Athen, AL; and Alethia H. Burks (Nathaniel) of Richmond, VA; her grandchildren, Joshua White of Martinsburg, WV; Kiwana and Kevin Harper, Jr. of Killeen, TX; Christen Harper of Norfolk, VA; Ta'Corrious Strothers of Staunton, VA; and Omya Burks of Richmond, VA; her great-grandchildren, Jeremiah, Joziah, Alexia, Samiya, Jalen, Anthony, Aliana, and Naomi; her sister, Dorothy N. Firestone of Winchester, VA; her aunt and uncle, Lolita Robinson and Richard Newman of Charlestown, WV; her nephews, Rev. Jevon Newman (Paula) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and Darin Patterson (Jazzlyn) of Manasas, VA; Min. Bryant Harper of Winchester, VA; Joma Roberts of Berryville, VA; and Navajo Tafari (Lynette) of Philadelphia, PA; her nieces, Mardesky Blowe (Norman), Tammy Harper, and Eugenia Harper, all of Winchester, VA; her sisters-in-law, Eugenia Grant of Winchester, VA, and Marcella Roberts of Berryville, VA; her brother-in-law, Norman Harper (Margaret) of Winchester, VA; her close friend, Sharlene Harris; and a host of other cousins, relatives, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be April 17, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church 10 Josephine Street Berryville, VA. Family will receive friends one hour before service at the church.

Interment will be in Milton Valley Cemetery in Berryville, VA.

Ministry of Comfort Entrusted to
Cartwright Funeral Home
Winchester, VA
cartwrightfuneralhome.com