Edith Harper

Edith Evelyn Arnold Harper passed away Wednesday evening, November 28,
2018 at her home in Magnolia Springs, Alabama, after a brief illness. Nana, as
everyone called her, was 96. A Tuesday's Child, Edith was full of grace and her
life was well lived. She enjoyed laughter, cherished her memories, loved her
family beyond measure, and had no regrets.
She was born September 12, 1922 to Ersie (Golmon) and Charlie Lee Arnold
and had one brother, Ralph Edward Arnold. Her childhood years were spent
growing up in Brookhaven in Lincoln County, Mississippi. She graduated from
Brookhaven High School in May 1940 and her claim to fame was a hole-in-one
on the golf team. Aspiring to become a nurse, Edith entered Whitworth College in the fall of 1940. Little did she know
while standing at the gates of Whitworth College, she would meet the love of her life, Preston Earl
Harper, a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp from Meridian, Mississippi. After a whirlwind
courtship, Earl brought Edith to Meridian to meet his family. They were married that same weekend on
the Ides of March, 1941. Their marriage lasted for more than fifty years until his death in 1992.
Mrs. Harper called Meridian home for more than 75 years. She opened the first Bible book store in
Meridian in 1962. After many years of working and operating several bookstores, she retired from
Trinity Books & Gifts, the store her daughter and she owned. While in Meridian, she was an active
member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church and also attended St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
In 2015, she moved to Magnolia Springs, Alabama with her daughter and family. She quickly adopted
her new home which she often described as the most peaceful place on earth. She attended St. Paul's
Episcopal Chapel in Magnolia Springs.
Mrs. Harper was preceded in death by her parents, Ersie and Charlie Arnold, her brother Ralph Arnold,
and a son, Earl Glen. She is survived by her children Judith and Ronnie Miller, grandson and family of
Rich and Tiffany Miller, granddaughter Elizabeth Miller Warren, great-grandchild Wyatt Preston Warren,
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and her cherished Maggie Mae.
Graveside services will be held Monday, December 3 at 1 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian, MS
with The Rev. A. Austin McGehee, rector St. Paul's Episcopal Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the
family requests memorials be made to the Magnolia Springs Community Association, P. O. Box 6,
Magnolia Springs, Alabama.
Family and friends may sign the online memorial or leave a personal note for the family at www.jamesfwebb.com

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Cemetery