Elbert A Harper

Elbert Allen Harper, 95, passed away peacefully in his home on July 15, 2022. He was born on January
27, 1927 to Allen and Elsie (Shook) Harper. He married Joyce Ann Burden on August 10, 1950. She
preceded him in death on February 17, 2013.
Elbert was proud to serve his country in the U.S Navy from 1947-1948. Farming was Elbert’s greatest
passion besides his family. He spent most of his time in his meticulously organized farm shop, on a
tractor, or constantly making improvements around his farm. Around the age of 80 he stepped back
from farming full-time, but continued to offer unsolicited advice from his pickup truck. He kept the farm
books and delivered meals to the field during planting and harvest, until recent years. He loved listening
to Elvis, and watching Hazel, Perry Mason, and especially Jeopardy. He was dedicated to attending
sporting events and birthday parties for his grandchildren & great-grandchildren.
Elbert could frequently be found at Faye’s Northside Café for a very early breakfast, and the Jim Dandy
buffet for lunch. His favorite meals were the ones home-cooked by his wife, Joyce.
He enjoyed genealogy and had an extensive family tree that he had memorized. He loved to talk about
his ancestors with his children and grandchildren.
He was a member of Community Bible Church and prior to his death attended Rock Prairie Baptist
Church and Crossroads.
Other survivors include his children, Regina Barr and husband Ron, Michael Harper, Larry Harper and
wife Jane, and Carol McElfresh and husband Jeff. Grandchildren are Deena Dodd, Amy Powers (Pete),
Kelli Lightfoot (Luke), Kristina Cline (Kyle), Beth Woelfert (Charles), Carrah McElfresh, Rob Harper
(Emma), Andrea Campbell (Ryan), Sonny McElfresh (Kelli), Aly Baker (Andy), Ethan Harper (Merrill) and
Megan Ness (Joe). Great Grandchildren include Courtney Everman, Brayden Vandergriff, Lucy, Logan,
Harper and Holden Lightfoot, Anya, Henry and Amelia Cline, Isla, Kinley, Mikella and Maggie Woelfert,
Charlie, Dawson, Dailey and Foster Campbell, Sophie McElfresh, Finley McElfresh, Emerson, Shepherd
and Gideon Baker, and Lyla Harper. He is also survived by his sister, Wilda Robison and many nieces and
nephews.
Elbert was preceded in death by his wife, daughter-in-law Mary Harper, brother Lewis Harper and
brother-in-law Jack Robison.
Visitation will be held from 11am to 1pm Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home, located at 314 N Main St.
Tipton, with funeral immediately to follow at 1:00pm with Pastor Jeff Harlow officiating. Interment will take place
in Tipton’s Fairview Cemetery.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Harper family in their time of need. Please feel free to leave

an online condolence or share a special memory of Elbert with his family on his tribute wall. 
In lieu of flowers (but if you must, yellow was his favorite), memorial contributions may be to St. Jude Children's Hospital,

Tunnels to Tower or the organization of your choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.  

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