Obituary of Betty Frances Grant Harper

Betty Frances Grant Harper, 90, of Columbia, SC went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 28, 2015. The daughter of the late Samuel Jasper Grant and Maude Trippe Grant Johnson of Darlington, SC, Betty was a proud military wife who supported her husband Paul as he served our country for over 30 years, first in the Army Air Forces in WW II as a B-24 bomber pilot and later in the Vietnam War as an Army field artilleryman. During her husband's numerous military deployments, she was the home front "Chief of Staff" who loved, nurtured, and took care of the family. Betty seemed to always be full of energy and loved to volunteer with military, community, and church organizations. Betty served as a Red Cross volunteer in military hospitals for many years. She loved working with children and served in such roles as a Cub Scout den mother, school homeroom volunteer and a Sunday school teacher. Betty truly loved the Lord and served in various roles in numerous churches. She was a faithful and dedicated member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Columbia, SC and the Joy Sunday school class for more than 35 years. Betty will be remembered first and foremost as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She genuinely loved her family and was always available whenever someone needed her. She was a kind, compassionate and caring person who gave her utmost to the Lord and to her family and friends. She made a difference in many lives and she will be missed. As the Apostle Paul said "…the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Betty is survived by her three sons and their families; Paul R. Harper Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Mt. Pleasant SC, Ralph S (Sam) Harper of Edmond OK, and John F. Harper and his wife Patricia of Goose Creek, SC. She also leaves behind several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Betty is also survived by two siblings; Rose Dennis of Sumter, SC and Samuel (Sam) J. Grant, Jr. and his wife Nora of Darlington SC. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, a brother; Carl Grant, sisters; Elise Johnson and Nell Bell, and her devoted husband of 68 years, Paul R. Harper Sr., a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. The family will receive friends at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209 on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 2:30 PM. Graveside service will follow on July 2, 2015 at 3 PM at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209, section I. Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia, SC 29206. The family wishes to thank the many devoted caregivers at Summit Place of Daniel Island in Charleston SC, as well as Piedmont Hospice-Charleston for their love and attentiveness during the past several months.