Valerie Harper

THE REVEREND VALERIE BOYD OWENS HARPER, was born January 7, 1965 in Winnsboro, South Carolina to Samuel Leon Boyd and the late Sarah Johnson Boyd, the ninth of seventeen children. The Lord came back for her on Saturday, November 28, 2020. She attended the public schools of Fairfield County and Midland's Technical College in Columbia. She married the late Kent Owens and from this union three precious daughters were born, Shannon, Deidre, and Karen. For the past fourteen years she was married to the Reverend Gilbert Harper, Sr., where Reverend Valerie gained two sons and two more daughters, Gilbert, Jr., Alex V., Quintessa, and Quandrea. Reverend Valerie worked at one of the public schools of Fairfield County, Geiger Elementary, where she taught many of the county's children. She enjoyed gardening, singing, reading and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. Her passion was family, people, and all things God. She was well known as a prayer warrior and intercessor. And above anything, she would always cover you in prayer. Reverend Valerie was ordained by the Baptist Association and had served on the Ministerial Staff of Aimwell Baptist Church and Ebenezer A.M.E. Church. After marrying Reverend G. Harper, she served on the Ministerial Staff of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Roanoke, VA, New Allen A.M.E. Church in Exmore, VA, First Trinity A.M.E. Church in Chesapeake, VA, and was currently serving at Brown's A.M.E. Church in Smithfield, VA. Not only was she a minister; but she was also the stately First Lady. She is survived by her husband, Reverend Gilbert Harper, Sr.; her daughters, Shannon (Timothy) Walker of Winnsboro, SC, Deidre Owens and Karen Owens of Smithfield, Virginia; four step-children, Gilbert Jr. (Jodie) Harper, Alex Harper, V., Quintessa Harper of Charlotte, NC, and Quandrea Barnes of Norfolk, VA; her precious grandchildren, Olivia, Timia, and Timothy Kent Walker, Liam, Kelvin, and Gavin Harper, Conner and Aiden Keuning, and Levi Barnes. She also leaves her father, Samuel Leon Boyd of Winnsboro, SC.; her brothers, Ernest (Rosa), Joseph, Anthony, and Micheal, and Isaac Boyd all of Winnsboro, SC; her sisters, Venice (Julian) McKie, Helen (Ways) Hopkins, Shirley (Freddie) Hall, Betty (Jimmy) Ashford, Carrie (Raleigh) Lee, Sarah Turner, Novie Boyd, Peggy Boyd, and Shernice Boyd all of Winnsboro, SC; several sisters-in-law and several brothers in-law; a host of nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and so many who were just like family. Funeral Services were conducted Saturday, December 5, 2020, 1:00 p.m. at New Jerusalem Community Church,1060 Syrup Mill Road, Ridgeway, South Carolina. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. A public walk through (only) was held Friday, December 4, 2020, 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Please keep the Harper family in your thoughts and prayers.

Funeral Services were conducted Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at New Jerusalem Community Church,1060 Syrup Mill Road, Ridgeway, South Carolina. Interment followed in the church cemetery. A public walk through (only) was held Friday, December 4, 2020, 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Please keep the Harper family in your thoughts and prayers.