Norman Brinkley Harper

Norman Brinkley "Richard" Harper of Prattsville, Ark., was born Sept. 7, 1926 in Jaggers, Ala., the son of the late Allie Porter Harper and Zula Mae Swindle Harper. He was a member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Prattsville. He served his country proudly for over 31 years being in the US Navy and the US Air Force. He fought in World War II, the Korean War, three tours in Vietnam and Azores. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and was retired from Sherwin Williams. He enjoyed serving his country, being a Mason, fishing, watching baseball, and The Gaither's. Mr. Harper died at his home on Friday, June 8, 2018 at the age of 91. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Allen Harper, a son, Freddy Whitaker; brothers, Allie Jr., Tom, Jack, Frank and J.T. Harper, sisters, Mildred Clark, Ruby West, Obeliah Clark, Lula Ivey, Georgia Ann Harper, June Barton and Clara Harper. Survivors: daughters, Georgia Ann (Eddie )Hicks of Prattsville, Leslie Carol (Perry) Nichols of Prattsville, Terilynne Kennerly of Malvern, Sandra Hope Harper of Malvern, Cherye Kay Forbush of Prattsville; grandchildren, Kristy (Kyle ) Hull, Kelly (Drew) Kidder, Kerry (Jeff) Young, Tyler Hicks, Ethan (Kayti) Nichols, Allen (Shauna) Harper, Dalton Kennerly, Carson Kennerly, Seth Ashcraft, Carsten Adams, Emily (Andew) Valadez, Anderson Schmidt; nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Prattsville with Bro. Vernon Bass officiating. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at Philadelphia Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10 a.m. until service time also at the church. The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to his caregivers, Misty Pearson, Leeann Johnson, Sonya Bentley, Missy Cash, Gracie Beckwith and Saline Memorial Hospice for the love and care they provided him. Pallbearers are his grandsons, Allen Harper, Seth Ashcraft, Ethan Nichols, Tyler Hicks, Dalton Kennerly, Carson Kennerly, and Cody Harper. Honorary pallbearers will be the Air Force Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 37, Prattsville, Ark., or St. Jude Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, Tenn. 38148. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan, (870) 942-1306. www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.