One Hundred Years of Service and Joy: Happy Birthday, Mrs. Mae Harper
Mrs. Mae Harper will be celebrating her 100th birthday on June 17th, 2010. Mrs. Harper, who currently resides with her son, William and his wife Joyce, has had an amazingly long life. But, more importantly, it has been a life of service to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Born, June 17th, 1910 in Saratoga, Texas, Mae came to know Christ as a child. According to her son, William, as a young woman Mae was valedictorian of the first class to graduate from Baytown High School. She pursued a career as a teacher and later went on to get her PH.D from Sam Houston College. Mae taught school for 35 years: 14 years in Casper, Wyoming and 21 years in Texas. Even more important than her career in education was the positive influence that Mae made on the lives of her family and those around her. These tender, caring relationships have made her beloved by many.
Mae poses with great grand-daughter Haley Harper
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Married early on July 4th, 1921, Mae’s husband, Bruce H. Harper was a hard drinking man. But instead of leaving him as many women would, Mae turned to God and then gave her husband an ultimatum; it was their family or the alcohol. Bruce, not only quit drinking, he began attending church with Mae, got saved and became a Baptist minister! This was just the beginning of this woman’s amazing journey with her Lord.
As the wife of a country minister, Mae had to make a little go a long way. Generally, there wasn’t much money coming in and William remembers that his father’s salary was often paid in corn, peas, and produce. Money was tight and times were tough, but Mae always met each challenge with love for the Lord and an incredible energy. She pursued her career as a teacher to supplement their income while raising a family of four children.
William shared this about his mother, “My mother has never had a drink in her life and the only smoke she ever inhaled was second hand smoke from my father’s cigarettes before he quit.” What a marvelous testimony from the lips of her child. Bruce served as minister of a small church in Casper, Wyoming for 14 years. Sadly, Mae lost her husband in 1974. But she held to her faith and continued to be the head of their family alone. William recounts the joy his mother always had for life. Once after he returned from the military on a trip home, he recalls that he and several friends were riding on toboggans being pulled behind a car. Looking up he saw his mother watching, William thought she would fuss at them, but instead Mae joined the fun along with the rest of them. She was sixty years old at the time.
Mae came to Sagemont Church in 1979 where she attended with her daughter, Patricia Kennedy, a member of the church. Now, this powerhouse for the Lord began serving in her new church home. Always a teacher and a lover of books, Mae worked in the church library and began teaching a class called the Naomi class which she continued for many years. Mae’s Sunday School students were saddened when Mae decided to quit teaching.
One of the things many people remember about Mae is that she used to crochet. Mae would make crochet crosses and crosses made by wrapping ribbons and would send them with those going on mission trips, to nursing homes, and to those visiting hospitals. What an amazing picture of this faithful woman’s life. Mae always used her gifts and talents in the service of her Lord and church family. Mae continued working and driving until she was 93 years old! William recalls the date he had to confiscate her keys after she got lost driving. He believes this was the turning point for Mae. Her health began to deteriorate.
Now, at one-hundred years old, Mae has outlived most of her friends, two of her children and several of her grandchildren. Her daughter, Patricia Kennedy died in 1997 and her eldest son, Bob in 2002 both of cancer. She is survived by two sons, William and James Harper, their wives, remaining children and great-grandchildren. Mae lived a hard, amazing life, but she has lived it with joy, grace, faithfulness and service to her Savior. Mae’s life is a testimony to all of us for it is a picture of what being Living Proof is all about. |
