Funeral services were held Saturday, July 20, 2024, at St. Paul Baptist Church in Bassfield, for Mrs. Irish Harper, 79, who died Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Select Specialty Hospital in Jackson.  Rev. Henry L. Kelly officiated with interment following in Wheeler Cemetery in Bassfield.  Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Irish Harper was born to the late Jim and Jessie Lue Keys.  She attended public school in Bassfield, and joined St. Paul Baptist Church where she remained a member until her demise.  She was a member of the Church Executive Committee, President of the Choir, Youth Sunday School and Vacation Bible teacher, President of the Decoration Committee, member of the Missionary Auxiliary, the Pastor’s Aide Committee and President of the Dining Committee.

Mrs. Harper was married to the late Curtis Harper; to this union two children were born, Curtis Ray and Willie Glenn.

Mrs. Harper retired as a Supervisor from Horace Small Manufacturing Company.  She was preceded in death by her son, Curtis Ray Harper.

She is survived by: one son, Willie Glenn Harper of Bassfield; brother, James (Dot) Reese of Bassfield; sisters, Joyce Harper, Emma Jean Fairley and Shirley (Monlevel) McLeod all of Bassfield; eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.