Nathaniel Harper

Nathaniel Harper was born May 7, 1936, in Abbeville County, South Carolina (SC), the eldest son of Fred and Alice Green Harper. Nathaniel (Papa) was raised by his paternal grandmother, Edna Harper, and her brother, (Uncle) Mose Harper. During his "growing up" years, Nathaniel would spend summers in Atlanta with his father, mother, and brother, and some in New York, with his Uncle David and Aunt Martha Moultry. Nathaniel accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior during his early years and enjoyed serving in his home church in Calhoun Falls, SC. After graduating from Morris College and marrying his wife (Merdis) in August 1958, he relocated with her to Allendale, SC. Nathaniel joined her home church, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Gifford, SC, where he served on the deacon board and as a Sunday School teacher until 2017, for nearly 60 years. Nathaniel completed his primary and secondary school education in Abbeville County, SC. He graduated from Josephine Wright High School in 1954. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Morris College of Sumter, SC, in May 1958 and his Master of Arts in Education from South Carolina State College in the early 1970s. In the Fall of 1954, Papa attended Morris College and was on the football team. During his freshman year, he met a young lady who was working her way through college by serving in the dining hall. Every day, Papa would see Merdis, and though he didn't approach her until their junior year in college, the two grew extremely fond of each other. By their senior year at Morris, their love was sure, and he proposed to her in May of 1958. Nathaniel shared with Merdis that "if ever he got married, he wanted the President of Morris College to officiate his wedding". Once Merdis said, "Yes", he went into operation and approached the College president with his request...and so it was, there at his wedding stood the president of Morris College! Nathaniel and Merdis were joined in holy matrimony on August 24, 1958. Immediately after college, Nathaniel was drafted into the U.S. Army for military service. On October 6, 1958, Nathaniel was drafted into the United States Army as an enlisted soldier. He was assigned to the U.S. Medical Research Laboratory in Fort Knox, Kentucky. After his initial training, he was sent to Greenland, where he worked as a phlebotomist in the lab. He often shared stories with his children and grandchildren of what it was like to live in igloos and how he survived the freezing temperatures in Greenland. Nathaniel received an "Honorable" discharge on August 19th, 1960. He remained in the "inactive" US Army Reserve for 4 additional years, terminating his military service on October 5, 1964. Nathaniel returned to Allendale after his military discharge to work in the Allendale County School System. He taught Biology there for many years. In the mid-1970s, Nathaniel and Merdis attended South Carolina State College, where they both received a Master of Arts. Nathaniel's love for mentorship and coaching continued to grow. He fulfilled that calling as guidance counselor for Allendale-Fairfax High School. Every person (both student and colleague) who knew Papa loved him for being an amazing "ENCOURAGER". If you needed an ear or a good pick-me-up, Papa was your guy. He never left anyone's presence without making them feel that they could achieve and do the next best thing! He remained a guidance counselor for nearly 20 years. Nathaniel and Merdis (together) retired as educators from Allendale County School System in May of 1995, with more than 35 years of service. On October 14, 1964, Nathaniel (Papa) and Merdis became the proud parents of their "pride and joy," Corwin Nathaniel Harper. As a proud father, Nathaniel labored and poured into his son the values and discipline of godly manhood. Respect, integrity, hard work, and the love of family lay the foundation for Corwin's life. When Corwin decided (unaided by his parents) to attend The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Nathaniel was extremely proud. The cadets at The Citadel loved him and his wife dearly and enjoyed seeing them at parades and special events. The Allendale neighbors, parents, and children, where Papa (and grandma) lived, worked, and worshipped, held them in the highest regard. Many of them respected and loved them enough to "adopt" them as their parents. The day would come when his son would also wed, and the moment Corwin gathered his portion of the wedding party, Papa would be his "Best Man". Papa embraced and loved Terrye as his "daughter," and the two of them enjoyed sharing many memories over the years. Papa and Corwin highly respected each other, and their closeness was inexplicable. Papa would be Corwin's "Best Man For Life. In Corwin's heart, there was and will never be any man as great as his dad, Nathaniel Harper! Papa was extremely fond and proud of his granddaughters. When deciding on a name for him, Terrye remembered her grandfather's endearing name, "Papa", and the rest was history. The girls loved their Papa and enjoyed taking his side in family "rag times". Papa (and grandma) looked forward to joining the girls during every occasion. He would cheer on Morgan during her volleyball games and offer Meghan that same energy during her cheer competitions. His grands kept him busy and engaged, but Papa never seemed to grow tired of the travels over the years. They enjoyed hearing Papa sing, play his "air guitar", and tell jokes. Papa loved sharing many of these life moments, talking to the girls over an ice-cold vanilla milkshake. In 2018, at 82 years young, Papa (and Gran-gran) became great-grandparents. Their great-granddaughter, Harper, his namesake, affectionately called him "Papa-the-milkman". This endearing name was given to him because while caring for Harper, his responsibility was to bring her milk on demand! Papa enjoyed watching Harper's excitement during those hungry moments when she would search for her bottle, usually hidden in one of his pockets! The hide and-seek game eventually stopped, but the name "Papa-the-milkman" stuck! Nathaniel Harper was our "gentle giant". His character and gentleness were known to all. He loved the Lord and enjoyed humming. Grandma would often laugh when Papa struck out with a song. Papa may have missed his calling to play an instrument, but his family recalls the many times when he would strum his "invisible" guitar to his favorite tunes from the Temptations, the Spinners, and the Mighty Clouds of Joy! His tunes and delightful hums will always remain close to our hearts. Nathaniel was a member of the Allendale 53rd Masonic Lodge, Allendale SC. Nathaniel enjoyed sports, especially football, and he was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan! Papa was an avid reader. Once, when asked, "What type of novels do you like? Papa answered honestly, "A good steamy one"! Most of all, Papa enjoyed people and good conversations. He loved reminiscing about his times growing up as a youngster and into his college years. Papa could hold our attention for hours as he shared his life story! He loved his family and was proud of every accomplishment they made! Nathaniel is preceded in death by his wife (Merdis Bess Harper, d. 2/14/24). He leaves to cherish his love, life, and legacy, his son, Corwin Nathanial Harper (Terrye) of Kennesaw, GA; his two granddaughters: Morgan Harper Dupree (Justin) of Pasadena, MD, and Meghan A. Harper of Philadelphia, PA; two great-grandchildren: Austin Jeremiah Dupree (Little Rock, AR), and his precious jewel Harper Adalynn Dupree (Pasadena, MD); a brother Arthur Fred "Joe" Harper (Rose) of Atlanta, GA; his God-daughter Donna Harley of Cincinnati, OH; The "Walker" Family (Charleston, SC); The DeLoachs' ( SC), The McManus' (VA); The Williams' (SC); and Ms. Linda Bess (SC); peers and colleagues of Allendale-Fairfax School District, Morris College and South Carolina State College, and his "Citadel Sons," the Men of God's Knots Small Group, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; and all those special folks that called him "Papa".

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax deductible gift to the Merdis and Nathaniel Harper Legacy Fund via two methods:

1) Make checks payable to:
The United Way of Southeast Louisiana (SELA)
Attention: Michael Williamson - President - United Way SELA
2401 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119

The Merdis and Nathaniel Harper S.T.E.M.A. Legacy
Fund"

2) Use the provided link to make tax-deductible donations directly to United Way SELA (South East Louisiana) - https://www.unitedwaysela.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=4