Carleton G Harper

Staunton, VA…             Carleton (Gilbert) Harper, 91, widow of Duane Mack Harper, passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Shenandoah House.             Mrs. Harper was born September 23, 1927 in Augusta County, VA, a daughter of the late Simon Jefferson and Eva (Harlow) Gilbert.             Mrs. Harper graduated from Beverley Manor High School. Upon graduation, she attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC and graduated from Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, VA.  She then did some post graduate work at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA and the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.             She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church for over 50 years. She was the organist at Memorial Baptist Church, Verona United Methodist Church, and Parkway Wesleyan.            Carleton belonged to the Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary teachers before her health began to decline.              Mrs. Harper taught in the Staunton City School System for over 33 years. She was employed as a teacher at Bessie Weller Elementary school when they opened under the leadership of T.C. McSwain. She then transferred, along with Mr. McSwain, who opened the A.R. Ware Elementary School. After 19 years of teaching in different grades, she transferred to Shelburne Middle School. She started the fellowship of Christian Athletes at Shelburne Middle School.             She retired in July of 1988 having enjoyed the first day through the last day of teaching. Mrs. Harper was always delighted when her former students would stop and introduce themselves to her. She enjoyed many years of retirement and very much enjoyed spending time with her family, her church family, and especially her daughter-in-law and precious granddaughters.             In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Dr. Fulton Jefferson Gilbert, Earl Kenneth Gilbert, and Dr. Lowell H. Gilbert; and three sisters, Eleanor (Gilbert) VanGilder, Rhoda (Gilbert) York, and Lorraine (Gilbert) Harlow.             She is survived by her sons, Wayne G. Harper and wife Patty, and Daniel K. Harper; her brothers Dr. Edward W. Gilbert, Marcus Cowper Gilbert and wife Dorothy; and two precious granddaughters so close to her heart, Maddie Elizabeth Harper and Kaitlyn Layne Harper; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.             The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Crystal M. McMahon who cared for her at home for 13 years and Dixie M. Peltier, who cared for her for 6 years, both of whom are with Home Instead Senior Care. We also thank the caregivers at Shenandoah House. We appreciate all of your love, compassion and care!             The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Henry Funeral Home.             A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Memorial Baptist Church by Reverends Bill Smith and Mark W. Jones. Burial will follow in Thornrose Cemetery.             Active pallbearers will be Temple Myers, Robert Ham, Todd Wilmore, David Rhodes, and Roy Conner.             Honorary pallbearers will be her Bible study group, the Joy Sunday School Class, Kenneth Snyder, Jim Kinder, Doug Patterson, Tom King, Ed Lange, Ron Beckey, and Mark Anthony.             Memorial donations may be made to Memorial Baptist Church, 224 Taylor St., Staunton, VA, 24401.             Arrangements have been entrusted to Henry Funeral Home.