Rachel Harper Obituary

Rachel “Estella” Harper aka Plum

Born December 25, 1918, in Coatopa, AL, the sixth child of the late Ben and Mary Bell (Coleman) Jones.

She confessed Christ as her personal savior at an early age in Alabama, where she served on the Usher Board. After moving to Joliet, she joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church and continued to usher. She later joined St. Paul M.B. Church, where she was faithful in attendance as an usher until her health began to decline.

In 1940, Estella was united in marriage to the late Rev. Alonzo Barnett until his death. She later married Isaiah Harper.

In 1945, the family moved from Laurel, MS, to Joliet. Her first job in Joliet was as a hair stylist. She followed her passion and became a cook, for which she was well known and employed by many of the local restaurants, one of them being Syl’s. She also did some domestic work as well and later retired from Sunny Hill Nursing Home and Dairy Queen.

She lived a healthy life until she became ill in April 2013 and was cared for by her niece, Bernice (Fred) Henderson, until her death on January 11, 2014.

She is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, one son, five brothers and five sisters.

She leaves to cherish fond memories two grandsons, Percy Barnett Jr. (Kim) of Virginia and Gary Barnett of Joliet, IL; daughter-in-law Mattie Ann Barnett of Ohio; grandchildren Nathaniel Scott, Lauren Barnett, Bryant Barnett and Nicholas Barnett; dear friend Dorothy Hayes; her church family; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday, January 18, 2014, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at St. Paul M.B. Church, 1404 S. Briggs St., Joliet, IL. A service will be held at 10:00 AM, Pastor Edward Martin Jr. officiating. Interment following at Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet, IL.

Minor-Morris Funeral Home

112 Richards St. (815) 723-1283