Helga Johnson Harper was born on July 8, 1918, in Markham, Texas to Albert Henry and Jessie Longuet Johnson. She passed to her heavenly home on September 5, 2010, at Matagorda Regional Medical Center in Bay City, Texas.
Helga graduated from Markham High School in 1935. She married Louis Fate Harper on May 26, 1936, at the Methodist parsonage in Markham. After celebrating 50 years of marriage, Louis died suddenly at their farm near Clemville, Texas on September 26, 1986.
Helga joins a host of family and friends who preceded her in death including her parents, husband, and siblings: Lorena J. Dawdy, Chester R. Johnson, A. Hoyt Johnson, and Vergie J. Loveless.
Helga is survived by her daughter Helen and her husband Loy Sneary of Bay City. She is also survived by her grandchildren Shannon and her husband Jim Lucas of Austin; and Adam and his wife Toni Sneary of Buckeye. She is survived by her great grandson Will Lucas and baby boy Sneary due January 2011.
Both Helga and Louis grew up in families that were part of the early day rice farming industry in Matagorda County. After a few years traveling in the oil drilling industry the couple returned to Markham, Texas to establish their own rice and cattle operation near Clemville, Texas. They moved to Bay City in 1953. Helga took care of the household and farm bookkeeping and often helped with the cattle gathering either from horseback or from the kitchen.
The family is active in First United Methodist Church, where Helga assisted for over 30 years in Miss Ethel Gusman's 3 year old Sunday School Class.
Helga was a charter member of the Pink Ladies Hospital Auxiliary at Matagorda General Hospital where she served each Thursday morning, and helped with monthly birthday parties at Matagorda House, the beauty shop, and the Candy Striper program.
Other ways Helga supported her community were through membership in the Matagorda County Museum, Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, Fellowship Sunday School Class of FUMC, Bay City Study Club, Bay City Book Review, Bay City Nature Club, and the Church in the Hallway at The Legacy Assisted Living.
Helga enjoyed gardening, RV travels, sewing, and cooking. She was quick to share these skills with others through example and was ready with her cooking creations on a moment's notice.
The family will receive visitors at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home on Monday, September 6, 2010, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 4:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Bay City with Rev. Jeff Gantz and Rev. Pauline Harvey Storey officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.
Pallbearers will be Percy Carroll,John "Hoody" Estlinbaum, Howard Harper, Don Matthews, Mike McMahon, and Jerry West. Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Pink Ladies Auxiliary.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Legacy Assisted Living for their years of dedicated care and the staff of the Matagorda Regional Medical Center for their care in the final days of Helga's life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of your choice or the Children's Sunday School Program at First United Methodist Church of Bay City.