James Ellis Harper

James Ellis Harper, 77, peacefully transitioned into his eternal home on May 16, 2025 at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, SC surround by his family. He was born in Abbeville, SC on December 19,1947 to the late Mary Geneva Harper and raised in the home of his grandmother Eldora Cunningham in Calhoun Falls.

At an early age, James lived with his mother and siblings in Brooklyn, New York, where he was educated in the public schools. After the death of his mother, he moved back to Calhoun Falls and attended the public schools. He is very proud graduate of JS Wright High School, Class of 1966.

Upon graduation, he joined the Army and the National Guard. James worked at Flexible Technologies of Abbeville, SC for over 45 years until his retirement. In 1972, James met and married the love of his life Sarah Brown Harper and had a daughter, Karen Brown Peterson. Earlier in life, he learned of the love of God from his parents and by attending services at Glovers AME Church. He was a super fan of Pittsburgh Steelers, Clemson Tigers, and Atlanta Braves. His favorite hobbies were attending professional football, basketball, and baseball games as often as he could. On many occasions with his daughter and her friends, all his grandsons and other children around the neighborhood.

He is preceded in death by his mother and grandmother; two brothers Lawrence Fortson and David Harper. Four(4) sister-in laws; Lillie Wilson, Loree Allan, Christine Brown and Helen Bryant. Three (3) brothers-in-laws; James Tillman, John Brown and Earnest Brown., Jr. Mother and father-in-law; Ida Mae Brown Hester and Ernest Brown.

James is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Sarah Brown Harper, one daughter, Karen (Elihu) Brown Peterson of Abbeville, SC: six grandchildren, Elihu (Tenisha) Peterson of Greenwood, Christopher Brown of Anderson, SC, Desmond Peterson of Greenville, SC, Pamela Peterson of Abbeville, SC, Darren (Kayla) Hurley of Anderson, SC, DeAndre` Hurley of Newark, New Jersey. Two sisters-in-laws; Annie Brown of Columbia, SC, Cora Bell Tillman of Calhoun Falls, SC Three brothers-in-law; Larry Allen of Fayetteville, Ga., William Davis of Calhoun Falls, SC and Frank Wilson of Abbeville, SC. One Aunt; Liddell Murray of Calhoun Falls, fourteen grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Host of nieces and nephews and cousins all who miss him dearly.

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