Obituary of Doris Elizabeth Harper

Doris Elizabeth Redus Harper was born on January 16, 1926 in Pickens County, AL. and passed away in her home on January 8, 2021 from heart failure. She was the youngest daughter of Brice and Irene Joyner Redus. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Vesta Orr and brother, Brice Redus Jr.
Having been raised on a cotton farm during the depression, Doris knew about hard work and sacrifice as well as having a good time.   She experienced grace in her life through her loving family, strong faith in God, and many friends.  
She met the love of her life, Jim Harper, when he came to Alabama to visit relatives in the summer of 1941.  The celebrated 73 years of marriage on November 8, 2017. Daddy said, “we hit it off pretty good.” They married while he was on leave during WWII.  She was a senior at Liberty High School.  She completed her GED in 1968 fulfilling her promise to her parents to finish school.  Mom worked at LSU Hospital for over 20 years in several clinics.  
Mom was an excellent cook and since Daddy had a sweet tooth, she specialized in desserts. Their lives were filled with family activities, church and enjoying friends met through bowling, bingo, playing cards and eating out. She was a salt of the earth and light to the world lady with a tender heart and a pioneer spirit.
She was preceded in death by her husband, beloved son Jimmy (12/26/20), and adopted son Anthony Ball.  She is survived by her devoted daughters Dianne Harper Wilkinson and Betty Harper Stanley and adopted son Ronald “Bo” Hayes.  She is also survived by her grandchildren and their families. Donnie and April Wilkinson, Roe and Amanda Wilkinson, Sam III (Trey) Wilkinson, Rachael and Joey Muniz and Carly and Brian Collier.  Her great grandchildren are Mollybeth, John Harper, Abby and Charlie Wilkinson, Logan and Jordan Muniz and Lily and Micah Collier.
A memorial celebration of momma’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church on January 18, 2021, 1204 Crabapple Drive, Shreveport, LA. There will be a graveside service later this year. Her wish was to have her cremains buried at her family’s plot at Tabernacle UMC in Alabama. The Joyner family was one of the original families to organize Tabernacle Camp Meeting in 1828.  It met continuously for 191 years until the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020.
We would love for you to join us to honor her life.  Masks and social distancing are required.  Memorials may be given to Christ UMC, 1204 Crabapple Drive, Shreveport, LA 71118.