Obituary of Jean Bernice Harper

Jean Bernice (Cooper) Harper was born on October 18, 1942 to the late Allen and Mabel Cooper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jeanie, as she was affectionately called by loved ones, was the 11th of the twelve sibling Cooper Clan. She is preceded in death by her parents, eight brothers, and three sisters. Jeanie loved the Lord and found comfort in gospel music throughout her life. Jean received her education in the Philadelphia School System, graduating from Simon Gratz High School in the class of 1960. Following high school, Jeanie worked for the U.S. Department of Defense at the Quartermasters Division. During the early 1960s, Jeanie was introduced to the first cousin of her sister Dottie's husband, Adam "Boots" Harper, and after a courtship, the two fell in love. On September 15, 1962, Adam, who Jeanie affectionately called "Bootsie," and Jeanie were married in Philadelphia. From that union, they were blessed with three beautiful children, Angel, Adam Troy, and April. The family settled in Southwest Philadelphia, where Jean focused on making the home on Whitby Avenue a haven of love and hospitality for family, extended family, and friends. Once the children were all in school, Jeanie decided to branch out to explore new adventures. She had a love for children, and worked in the Philadelphia Public School System as a Non-Teaching Assistant, then as a day care teacher. Jean found joy in helping students learn, and took pride in planning school events, such as fashion shows, graduations, and even Tom Thumb weddings. Jeanie also embarked on business ownership, as co-owner of The Wooden Harp Shoe Store and The Philadelphia Dance Factory School of Dance, both located on Baltimore Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. Of all her roles, the one Jeanie adored the most was being a doting mother and grandmother. She took pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, attended as many of their events and milestones as she could, proudly cheering them on. Jeanie enjoyed cooking for the family, hosting holiday gatherings, going on shopping sprees, and watching scary movies; but nothing more than a trip to the casino. She would share old family stories, and she could always make the house roar with laughter. Jeanie had an eye for fashion, and could be seen wearing leather, leopard, and heels until recently. Jeanie leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband of 62 years, Adam, whom she cared for tirelessly until the very end, her children, Angel Jackson (Thomas) of Bannockburn, Illinois, Adam Troy Harper of Pasadena, California, and April Thomas (Jeffery) of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, In-laws Ruby Bradshaw, Myra White, Roosevelt Harper (Queenie), Juanita Harper-Franklin (Carl), Mary Leecan, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.