Rodney Harper, 80, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at the Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla.
Graveside services will be held 4 PM, Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the Evergreen Cemetery with the Rev. Lance Sumner and the Rev. J.W. Taylor officiating.
Mr. Harper was born August 7, 1932 in Fitzgerald, to the late Clinton Ivey and Lucille Bazemore Harper. A 1953 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, he was a 13 year veteran of the Georgia National Guard. Mr. Harper was a sales representative, and later an area manager, for Kimball’s Dairy, Dairy-Co, and Flav-O-Rich Dairies. He was a member of Englewood Baptist Church where he was an honorary deacon.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years: Frances M. Harper of Fitzgerald; daughter and son-in-law: Janet & Franklin Sumner of Fitzgerald; two grandsons: Lance & Deena Sumner of Conyers and Casey & Christina Sumner of Marshfield, Missouri; three great-grandchildren: J.T. Sumner, Loghan Sumner, and Grayson Sumner; sister-in-law: Myrtle Harper and a nephew: Louie Harper, both of Fitzgerald. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a son: Clinton Rodney Harper and two brothers: Gene Harper and Clinton Harper.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Englewood Baptist Church, c/o Christine Wiley, 792 Jackson Road, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.