Demetrius Harper Celebration of Life Program

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF

Demetrius F. Harper (Harpo) SUNRISE MAY 5, 1972

SUNSET JANUARY 19, 2022

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2022 AT 12 NOON BROWN BAPTIST CHURCH 980 STATELINE ROAD EAST, SOUTHAVEN, MS

ORDER OF CELEBRATION

Demetrius F. Harper (Harpo) PROCESSIONAL MUSICAL SELECTION SCRIPTURE 23 PSALM

SCRIPTURE 1 THESSALONIANS C14 V14-18

PRAYER MUSICAL SELECTION EXPRESSIONS RESOLUTION

Ministers and Family BMBC Music Ministry John Boyd John Boyd BMBC Pastoral Staff BMBC Music Ministry Reginald Cooper Ali Awad Deacon Gordon Fykes

SILENT READING OF OBITUARY

Family and Friends

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Linda Bills

MUSICAL SELECTION EULOGY RECESSIONAL

BMBC Music Ministry Elder D.E. Jamison Ministers and Family

NJ FORD AND SONS FUNERAL HOME 12 SOUTH PARKWAY W, MEMPHIS, TN 38109 WWW.NJFORDANDSONSFUNERALHOME.COM

OBITUARY

Demetrius F. Harper (Harpo) The sudden passing of Mr. Demetrius Fernando Harper has called us all together today to celebrate his wonderful life.

Demetrius was born on May 5, 1972, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mrs. Margaret Jacqueline MillerHarper and the late Mr. Pearlie Harper. Demetrius departed this life on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

Demetrius graduated from Fairley High School. He also attended Memphis State University. He was an inquisitive person who enjoyed learning and understanding how things worked, though he would always claim not to be the best student. He discovered that he was mechanically inclined, and this would serve him well in his life.

He was well accomplished in his professional life. He began with a part-time job at TCBY as a teen. He then started with NSA Purified Water Filter Co. He also worked as a surgical tech with Methodist Hospital. It is here that Demetrius followed his father's path into trucking. He became a driver for Consolidated Freight IFCO, as well as Owner Operator with Reggie, ARL and Greenway. His love for the trucking industry led him to start his own business 5 D Trucking.

Demetrius was exalted by the love of his family. He had great admiration for his father, and in many ways followed in his footsteps. He would speak at great lengths about the love he had for his wife, his kids, his mother, and his siblings. He would daydream about all the things he wanted for his children and how proud he was of their accomplishments. He was always concerned with the plight of others and would quietly perform acts of charity when he could. His generosity often led to him sharing whatever he had with the people around him, family and stranger alike.

He was a private man with a big heart and a big personality. He had a booming voice and a jovial nature. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed football when his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, would win.

Demetrius leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Vannica Harper; eight children, Demetrius DeShun Harper, Kayla Nicole Harper, Demeriauna Jane Harper, Da'vion Skylar Harper, Dayton Dacarri Harper, Kaylani Reign Harper, Joseph Tate, and Christoper Tate; One grandchild, Zenilah Kay Marie Harper; eight brothers, Terrence F. Harper (Doreen DeJesus-Harper), Robert L. Harper (Proceeded Him In Death), Thaddeus A. Harper, Nathaniel Harper (Proceeded Him In Death), Thomas Harper (Proceeded Him in Death), Timothy Harper, Lawrence F. Harper, and Sidney Isom; six sisters, Chameka I. L. Harper-Taylor (Benjamin D. Taylor), Arverline P. Harper, Francetta T. Willingham, Ernestine C. Bills-Gooch (Bubba Gooch), Jacquelyn Davis, and Barbara Ann Harper; his brother-in-law Alando Phillips; sister-in-law Lanina Phillip; his mother-in-law Vanessa Phillips; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, to include his first wife, Donna K. Tall.

Demetrius DeShun Harper

Kayla Nicole Harper

Demeriauna Jane Harper

Would One More Ever Be Enough? written by: Kayla Harper

Would one more ever be enough?

It has now become a part of my daily routine to ask God for one more talk.

One more laugh would do.

Could I just ask for one more glance?

But would one more ever be enough?

I’m just asking for one more text message, nothing much.

I could really use one more “I love you”.

One more hug.

One more kiss on the cheek is all I’m asking for.

But then I find myself asking, “Would one more ever be enough?”

As the memories fill my head, how could I ask for just one more?

I think about what my future self needs.

A father to help guide me as I navigate through adulthood, A father to cheer along the sideline when I accomplish milestones, A father to walk me down the aisle, A father to watch my kids grow, A father to just have a conversation with.

How could one more ever be enough?

The memories that visit me now bring tears to my eyes, but I find peace in knowing that they will bring me comfort one day.

For with the memories that I hold so dear, I don’t have to settle for just “one more”; I get to experience my dad a million more times.

Da'vion Skylar Harper

Dayton Dacarri Harper

Kaylani Reign Harper

A Letter to My Husband in Heaven written by: unknown

They say there is a reason They say time will heal; Neither time or reason will change the way I feel.

Gone are the days We use to share, But in my heart You are always there.

The gates of memories will never close; I miss you more than Anybody knows...

Love and miss you everyday Till we meet again Always and Forever

Footprints in the Sand written by: disputed

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You’d walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most,You would leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”

Words of Thanks Our hearts are filled with an abundance of appreciation for the love that has been displayed to the family during the celebration of life for our loved one.

We thank you for all of the love that has been expressed towards the family, know that your prayers and support have been felt. We pray that God continues to bless everyone abundantly.

Special Thanks to: Brown Baptist Church New Life of Memphis Mt. Vernon Baptist Church

Phillip 66 Family & Friends Cooper Printing The Tall Family

Active Pallbearers Terrence Harper Reggie Bryant Relando Jamerson

Eric Jones Jerral Layrock Terral Layrock

Honorary Pallbearers Joseph Tate Christopher Tate Maurice Scullark

Demetrius Harper

Alando Phillips Gregory Phillips Ali Awad

Interment New Park Memorial Gardens - 4536 Horn Lake, Memphis TN 38109

Memorial Meal

3:00 PM Williams Family Soul Wings and Things 5411 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis TN 38116