Ida Jean Harper

Ida Jean Harper, affectionately known as GeGe to her loved ones, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025, in Camilla, GA, at the age of 89. Born on March 6, 1935, in New Brockton, AL, Jean was a beacon of love and faith throughout her life. Her presence was a gift to all who knew her, and her memory will continue to be cherished.

Jean was a proud graduate of New Brockton High School and furthered her education at Cosmetology School, where she honed her skills that would serve her well both professionally and personally. She went on to have a successful career as a cosmetologist, which she balanced beautifully with her role as a dedicated stay-at-home mom. Jean's work allowed her to touch the lives of many, offering not just beauty services but also kindness and friendship.

In her retirement, Jean found a new calling that would define her later years. She opened her home to host Bible study sessions, guiding over a decade of weekly meetings with warmth and wisdom. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she was a living example of the values she held dear.

Jean was the loving matriarch of a family that revered her. She is survived by her daughters, Belinda (Ron) Ott and Donna (Tom) Chapman; her Daughter in love, Diane (Steve) Norman; her grandchildren, Ashley (Jason) White and Jonathan (Krista) Chapman; as well as her adored great-grandchildren, Madison Grace Chapman, Harper Sue Chapman, Caleb Chapman White, and Everly Carrington White. Jean's family extended to numerous nieces and nephews, who all benefited from her generous spirit and loving guidance.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald T. Harper, with whom she shared a life filled with love and partnership. Jean was also the last of her siblings to pass, joining Pauline Edgar, Clayburn Griswold, Aubrey Griswold, Juiana Wood, Sue Pope, Joseph Griswold, and Zonya Griswold in eternal rest. Her parents, Benny Franklin Griswold and Easter Rebecca Griswold, instilled in her the values of family and faith that she carried throughout her life.

Jean will be remembered as a loving, faith-filled, and kind soul. She had the unique ability to make each person feel special and heard, a testament to her caring nature. Her legacy is one of love, devotion, and unwavering faith—a legacy that will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.

Her life was a reflection of her beliefs, and she walked in grace and kindness, leaving an indelible mark on her community. Jean's spirit, characterized by her loving nature and her dedication to her faith, will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

As we say goodbye to Ida Jean Harper, we also celebrate the extraordinary life she lived and the countless ways she enriched our lives. Her story is one of unwavering love and kindness, a narrative that will be recounted with fondness by all who were privileged to know her. Jean's memory will be held close, a comforting presence that remains with us always.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00 am at Harper’s Joy Church in Dothan, AL with Pastor Benny Lindsey, Pastor Eddie Littlefield and Murray Kelley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.

Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com