Ernest Harper's Obituary
Service for Ernest Harper,97 of Lufkin is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 11 a.m., at First Missionary Baptist Church, 410 Scarbrough St, Lufkin. Burial will follow in the St. John Cemetery. Mr. Harper was born December 27,1925, in Manning, and died on Monday, September 25,2023, at his residence.
Ernest Harper was the last born of Cleveland and Charlcie (Garrett) Harper, born on December 27, 1925, in Manning, Texas. He grew up during The Great Depression years. It was the worst of times to be raised by a single mother, having lost his dad in a sawmill accident when he was four years old. His Mother and her small kids worked many back-breaking years on white-owned farmlands just for food. His clothes consisted of one pair of pants made of the burlap sack that carried potatoes. His Christmas gift was one biscuit that he carried in his dirty pockets for days to make it last. However, at the age of eight, there was one glimmer of light in his life; he was enamored with a neighboring girl, Lera Sowell. He thought she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen, and he vowed that one day he would make her his wife. But for the time being, his focus was hunger relief. In the early 1930's his mother finally moved to Lufkin where she worked long hours in white owned family homes for $1 a week. Food was scarce, meals consisted of a small bowl of rice daily. Life during the Depression was hard for the whole nation, but even more severe in his home life.
On December 7, 1941, everyone's life changed, including his own. To the shock of the nation, the Japanese military launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. That was the beginning of World War Il for the United States. Eighteen-year-old Ernest and his brother, Vernon, were drafted into the military: Vernon into the Army to fight the Germans, and Ernest into the Navy to fight the Japanese. Ernest was stationed on the aircraft carrier, USS Cowpens, nicknamed the Mighty Moo. It was here that he fought with valor, despite the ongoing challenges of being a Black man on an aircraft carrier during the segregated times, and the increasing aggression of the Japanese military. But these challenges did not deter him from serving his country. In the height of the war, during an extremely brutal battle with the Japanese navy near the Philippines, his Commanding Officers called for volunteers to go on a "suicide mission." The Seamen needed to go behind enemy lines with a special task force and attack. Ernest, along with 49 other Seamen bravely volunteered for this dangerous mission. They were given their last rites by the ship's Priest and sent out at night to attack the Japanese navy from behind. Of the 50 Seamen who risked their lives on this treacherous mission, only nine returned, Ernest was one of them. It was trauma to see so many of his comrades die all around him. But God had other plans for his life. He stood at attention in Tokyo Bay at the signing of the Japanese Peace Treaty by General Douglas MacArthur, on the USS Missouri. He said that all US aircraft carriers and battleships in Tokyo Bay had their guns pointed towards Tokyo, Japan in case they would not sign. It was a momentous occasion he never forgot.
When Ernest returned home after the war, he fulfilled his desire to marry Lera, the girl of his dreams. They immediately started a family... and the kids kept coming, 11 of them: five boys and six girls. They stayed married for 69 years, through difficult times and good times, until her demise in May 2015. Ernest often said that if he had the choice of one hundred women, he would choose her again.
As Ernest got older, he began to take inventory of his life and knew that he was lacking in his relationship with God. In 1983, he made a life changing decision to join the "army of the Lord". He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Over the years he read and studied the Bible more; and as he increased in knowledge, God gave him wisdom. As an active Deacon of the church, one of the first things he did was to look for a better church building. He and Lera found the present church building that Warren Temple currently worships in. They, along with a select few of the members, arranged to have it replace the old building they were attending. In 1999, the couple began a mission to deliver food and to visit the sick and shut in. The goal was to share the good news of Jesus's great love and how he died on the cross for man's sins. People began to come to their home for more spiritual growth in the Word. He and his wife decided to set aside Tuesdays for Bible Study in their home. Every week their numbers continued to grow, reaching as high as 27 people at a time. He kept the weekly Bible study sessions going for over 23 years, stopping only when COVID guidelines prevented the assembly of people in close proximity. When the COVID restrictions lifted, he continued sharing the Word of God on a one-on-one basis with many individuals. Ernest continued to be a major force in the church and community as people sought him out for his Godly wisdom. Even in his golden years he showed great mental strength (his memory of names, dates, events, and scriptures were a blessing to all); as well as physical strength (even at 97, he frequently worked in his yard and flower beds).
Ernest was born into a family with longevity and with great mental health. His sister, (late) Ruth, was the only one to transition before her seventies. His Aunt Dump lived to be 110 years old. His brother Vernon, who preceded him in death, lived to be 100 years; his late sister Bernice lived to be 94 years; and his only surviving sibling, Maxine is now a feisty 101 year young!
Ernest is preceded in death by his lovely wife, Lera, and sons, Darryl, and Clyde (Barbara). He is survived by his children: Lera Aikin (Arthur); Faye Washington (late IV); Ray (Shirley); Robert (late Lois); Clevon (Cathy); Lamyla ltuah(late Kingsley); Dianna Rutledge (Willie); Felita; Dorcia Langham (Rongi); Tommye and Anna; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and great-great grandchildren. Also, a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who lovingly regard him as their Papa, Dad, Deacon, Pops, Grandpa, B-Pa, and Uncle Sugar.
Ernest had charisma; people he encountered every day were drawn to his attentiveness, sweet spirit, gentle ways, and the appreciation that he was a WWII veteran. His Christian spirit touched their hearts. He lived and believed in the lessons he taught, and he was committed to share the Word of God until the very end. By the grace of God, Ernest chose to use the Word of God to have an influence in his life, as well as the lives of others he encountered; he kept the faith.
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