Ernie Harper, 61, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, July 26, 2019, at Life Care Center in Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Monday, July 29, 2019, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Chuck Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Sunday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Harper was born April 27, 1958, in Ocilla, Georgia to the late Buck & Thelma Henderson Harper. He was an avid outdoorsman who farmed with Buddy Barrentine and also was a logger. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and loved to garden and grow roses. Mr. Harper was known to complete many home improvement projects. He was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife, Melissa Jean; sons: Joshua Harper of Fitzgerald, Jonathan Taylor of Fitzgerald, Chad & Melissa Harper of Fitzgerald, Andy Harper of Fitzgerald, Jonathan Harper of Alabama, and Ernie Harper, Jr. of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Allison Harper, Hannah Harper, Caleb Harper, Zach Harper, Robert Stephens, Kylann Harper, Jasmine Harper, Dylan Harper, Ethan Harper and Shaelyn Harper; three brothers: Chris & Flo Harper of Fitzgerald, Mearl Harper of Fitzgerald, and Joe & Tracy Harper of California; two sisters: Deborah Harper of Hazlehurst and Hope Abbs of Athens; along with several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents: Floyd & Ruby Henderson and Earnest & Susie Harper and a brother, David Hudson.