Mary Ellen Harper

Mary Ellen Harper

Mary Ellen Harper, age 96, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at her home. She was born Sept. 26, 1925, in Uniontown, Kan., the daughter of Benjamin and Hazel Cox Hite. She married Richard Harper on Oct. 29, 1944, in Arma, Kan. He preceded her in death on Aug. 15, 2008. Mary Ellen’s life was all about her family. She made sure no one lacked for anything. Her many talents included sewing, embroidery, working dot-to-dot and puzzle books, and fishing with a cane pole. She loved music, attending the Fort Scott Jubilee, and watching TV, especially the news. Mary Ellen was an excellent cook. Her specialties included fried chicken, noodles, and pies. She did have a mortal fear of snakes and lizards. She was a member of Eastern Star, Devon Methodist Church, and later attended Diamond Community Church.

Survivors include her daughters, Linda Harryman, and Katherine Johnson and husband Billy Joe, all of Fort Scott; 12 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and 34 great-great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Melvin, and Gary Harper; two grandsons, Benjamin Underwood, and Raymond Harper; three brothers, Richard, Donald, and Earl Hite; a son-in-law, John Harryman; and her parents.

Pastor Rick Hite will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to either Kids with Courage Foundation or Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.