LaFerna "Sue" Harper

LaFerna Sue Harper, age 80, of Colcord, Oklahoma passed away on February 9, 2026 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born on November 14, 1945 in Maysville, Arkansas to John McCombs and Opal Ramsey McCombs. She was married to Wilks Harper on June 10, 1967. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandma (Meemaw), great-grandma, and a faithful servant of the Lord. She graduated high school from Gravette Holiness Bible School in 1963. She began her college education at Kansas City College and Bible School and later attended John Brown University, where she graduated with a music/piano major in 1967. She taught choir at Colcord Public School for two years and then volunteered teaching music and choir at Gravette Holiness Bible School over the next 20 years. She was the church pianist and music director at her church for the last 55 years. She gave hundreds of piano lessons from her home, teaching many children from the community. During those years she was also a dedicated homemaker, and beloved mother to her four children. She also shared her love with many other children, who still consider her like their second mom to this day. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing clothes, and taking care of her flowers. She especially enjoyed scenic drives during the fall foliage season and wrote a song titled “Autumn Leaves”. She has also written hundreds of other original songs, which have been sung by her family and others in local churches. She and her husband Wilks were members of a quartet, which sang for many revivals, rest-homes, and camp-meetings in the tri-state area. She and Wilks also sang for many weddings and funerals over the years. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Opal McCombs, one brother Elden McCombs, two nephews and two nieces. She is survived by her husband Wilks Harper, children: Shannon Harper and wife Carrie, Gwen Jones and husband Johnny, Jana Austin and husband Johnnie, Brent Harper and wife Candice, all of Colcord, Oklahoma, Grandchildren: Brandon, Kelby, Brittany, Dylan, Courtney, Mack, Rex, Frankie, and five precious great-grandchildren, one sister Verdeana Hanson and husband Gary of Zwolle, Louisiana, one brother, Donald McCombs of Sulfur, Oklahoma, nieces, nephews, and a host of many other relatives and friends.

Tributes

LaFerna "Sue" Harper

November 14, 1945 - February 9, 2026