Penny Harper - Civil Rights Activist
February 2, 2008 – Warner Robins, GA – Penny Harper passed away early this morning at her home in the company of her husband, Bud Harper.
The whole Harper-Mees Team was at the Greenbrook Elementary School auction on Friday evening, February 1 where over $100K was raised for the school. At 6am Saturday morning, my brother, Craig, called with the news. We were at BART by 10am and in Warner Robins, GA by 10pm Eastern time.
Our mother, Penny McFadden Harper had been suffering with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis for over 13 years. When it was first diagnosed, she was informed that the average life expectancy after discovery is 5 to 7 years. We had a long time to prepare for February 2, 2008 but in retrospect, it doesn’t seem like it was near enough.
Mother was not only afflicted with this lung disease, she was a breast cancer survivor and also bore the recurring painful effects of a bout with shingles bravely for several years. Our mother did this with a great deal of humor, strength and positive attitude – occasionaly mixed with a couple of choice words.
We had a wonderful service. Over 200 people attended – Penny Harper was very well known and loved dearly in the communities of Warner Robins and Macon GA. Many of the attendees commented – it was the most touching memorial service they had ever attended. AND – they have attended quite a few – mother was 81.
I learned a few things about Penny Harper this past week that I did not know. The one I want to share is – Penny Harper – Civil Rights Activist. I had never, ever considered mother to be a civil rights activist. I knew mother was color blind, she determined her friends by their strength of character and nothing else.
Penny Harper was a bowler – she lived and breathed bowling for much of her life. I could fill pages with her contributions to the sport and the bowling community as well as her trophies, patches, her 300 game, and etc. But, here is how I heard it –
Craig, Tracey and I arrived at the funeral home early to check the sound system and make sure everything was set up properly. The first person to arrive was Rufus, a man of about 70 or so of slight build. I welcomed Rufus and he immediately began to praise Penny Harper. According to Rufus, Penny Harper was the rock he leaned on as he and others set in motion the events in the 1960’s that would result in the integration of the sport of bowling in the Middle Georgia area.
Rufus told me story after story of mother’s bottomless well of generosity, support, and encouragement. According to Rufus, he was a lot bigger and angrier in those days. It was an incredible gift to listen to this gentle soul tell me of his deep love and appreciation for mother.
My siblings and I were astounded – Penny Harper – Civil Rights Activist – who’da thunk it?
If you have a story of Penny you would like to share, please do so.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Beautiful tribute John! She was an amazing woman!!
My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
May you all find comfort in memories and stories
like Rufus. Lovingly, CL
February 13th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
John,
Your mom sounds like the kind of pillar of strength that we all should have in our lives. Nothing defines a person better than how they perform or act under pressure when things are not going their way.
Your mom sounds like an incredible lady. Best wishes to you and the family.
Dean Guadagni and Susan Hanshaw
February 21st, 2008 at 3:45 am
Penny and I new each other for 46 years. We work together for 16 years @ Gold Cup in Macon. I’m sure all off her children new just now much she like someone too rub her back, shoulder or brush her hair.
We would all ways have too wait so know one would be in center. She would say time for a massage. In 16 years she got a few massage. ha ha
Back in 1987 I was bowling in last game in the state finals for the US open for GA. Penny walk over put her arms me and said it is time too make your move kid. That game was a 244. So I went too bowl in the US Open.
We all could write a book about Penny. She was a great friend too me over the years though good times and bad.
I will miss you my friend. Thank you for all the good times.
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 am
Thank you for the photo in the Telegraph. Its the way I remember Penny best, with a big smile. I sat in wonder at the memorial service as I saw so much of her in her legacy of children. The same determination, the humor, the friendliness, the heart, all in Penny, I saw in her family.
I called her mama. I used to ask her all the time to take me for a ride in her convertible. You know it just never happened.
I remember when Bud had it fixed up and painted, brand new shiny green.
I went out to Russell parkway to the bowling center (Penny insisted on bowling center not bowling alley.)
I saw that big new paint job and I went inside.
Penny was at the counter.
I said “Mama, you got to help me.”
She said “What can I do?”
I said ” I just drove in the parking lot and creamed a car, can you get on the speaker and find out whose it is so I can give them my insurance information?”
She said “oh, sure, I’m sorry, tell me what kind of car it was.”
I said ” It was an old car, a big clunker, a convertible with a brand new paint job.”
She says ” Oh my god, that’s my car.”
Of course by this time I was rolling on the floor laughing.
She loved a good joke and we shared many, on each other and others. Sometimes ruthlessly.
In Savannah, at the Cherry Blossom Festival, Warner Robins, Macon, and any other place I ran into her at tournaments, she always had a smile and a hug.
I know you are, and you should be proud to call Penny Harper, mom.
I wish you all the best in this time of healing.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
[…] I’m back in Warner Robins, GA visiting my dad. This is my first trip back since my mother’s passing. […]
March 29th, 2008 at 12:22 am
If you haven’t visited the new georgiawba website, you should. Penny is honored on the homepage. I agree that smile is forever embedded in our minds.
God bless you each as you continue the healing process in the passing of Penny.
The Georgia Bowlers remember her fondly.
May 8th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Can you tell me what specifically Penny did as a civil rights activist?
I’m writing a book that includes Danville as one of the settings. I’d love to know what she was involved with in terms of the civil rights movement.
Thank you
Geri Spieler
May 8th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Geri - My mother never lived in Danville. The events I refer to took place in Georgia - a much more challenging environment for civl rights activities in those days.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I loved Penny!! I knew Penny for about 13 years and I
don’t think I ever had a better friend then her. I
really got to know her after she got sick and quit
working. She was always wanting someone to visit.
We had so many good visits, talking just
about everything. Boy would she be upset with the Braves this year. She just never wanted to be alone.
Tellng her we were moving was one on the worst days
of my life. She was sad and so was I. She felt like
she was never going to see me again. Luckily we were
able to have a few more visits when we went back to
Warner Robins for my sons wedding. She was definately
a SHINING PENNY!!!!