Biography: Mary Louise Suddreth Harper, born September 16, 1932, passed away peacefully in her home August 15th, surrounded by her husband of fifty-seven years, Ernest Haven Harper, M.D., and by her five children and fifteen grandchildren, all of whom she loved unconditionally and unfailingly, and all of whom returned that love to her in equal measure. Although Louise’s voice was silenced by a severe stroke seven years ago, neither her indomitable spirit nor keen mind were diminished by her physical limitations; her irrepressible spirit continued as a source of strength and inspiration to all of her family members and to many of her friends as well, just as she drew strength and the will to continue from them. Known affectionately by her fifteen grandchildren as “Lulu,” she continued during her illness to direct and oversee all family holiday gatherings and most family birthdays, never forgetting one of them and never failing to issue demands or criticism when events weren’t flowing as she had directed. Many of us were, on occasion, the recipients of a few harsh words written in pencil on one of her inexhaustible supply of legal pads when we weren’t living up to her expectations -- but we were also the recipients of just as many notes of praise and expressions of pride and affection from her when those were in order. Both will be missed more than words can convey. Although we grieve and mourn for her, and will all, as husband, children and grandchildren, miss her immeasurably, we are sustained by the fact that every major religion teaches us that there is an afterlife; we have abiding faith that there is, and that Lulu is now in heaven, surrounded by the love of her mother and father, Mary Lou and Dave Suddreth, and her three brothers, David, Neal and Eddie, her twin, who preceded her in death. We are comforted by the fact that her wonderful, lilting voice and life-loving laugh are again being heard, that her sense of humor, many times mischievous, is once again on display for all to enjoy, and that she has now thrown off the shackles of confinement of her hospital bed and wheelchair, which can no longer rob her of the physical grace or rare beauty which she was blessed to have, and which so many of us were privileged to see during her youth and good health before they were stolen from her all too soon. But we are equally comforted by her memory, and by her limitless, undying love, which, in the words of one writer, surrounds us like a million suns, and which is not diminished by the end of her life here on earth, and which will sustain us every day, every week, every month, every year, forever. Her family dedicates the following words of Shakespeare to Louise, beloved wife, mother and grandmother: And when she shall die, take her and cut her into little stars, and she will make the face of heaven so fine, that all the world will fall in love with night, and pay no heed to the garish sun. Louise is survived by her husband, Dr. Ernest Haven Harper, her children, Ernest H. Harper, Jr., Dr. David M. Harper, Craig Harper, Anna Harper Parks and Angela Harper Carmichael, fifteen grandchildren, and her sister, Ellen Linder of Bowling Green, KY. Louise’s funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2007, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Little Rock, with burial to follow in Rest Hills Memorial Park, North Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to either St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn, or to the Pulaski County Humane Society. Funeral arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
My acquaintance with Louise began in grade school (although we were not in the same school at the time), and continued through junior high, and high school. I remember the hair-dying incident which Nancy mentioned. I also remember hikes to Fort Roots on a Saturday afternoon, as well as hiking in a yet undeveloped Lakewood. Vividly I remember the year she was Rodeo Queen and came out on her Palomino, riding fast with the flag billowing behind her. I remember a weekend in Hot Springs with several members of the family, including you Sonny (it was after the two of you were married) and Eddie. I remember how she took to motherhood and was one of the best.
I want to say I am sorry that I did not see her during her illness, but on the other hand I will always have the picture of a very vibrant and enthusiastic girl, ready for anything life brought. I know she was a fighter and hung in there as long as possible for her family. I would like to be able to say something of comfort to each of you but will just say that, having experienced several deaths in my family, I always find comfort in reading the 23rd Psalm.
Sincerely,
Marie