Rita Mae Harper

Rita Mae Harper, age 81, of Beckley, WV went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on December 18, 1944 in Akron, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Lee Sarrett and Virginia Manning Sarrett.

Mrs. Harper was a 1962 graduate of Marsh Fork High School. She was reared in Arnett, and had made her home in Beckley, WV for the past 53 years. Mrs. Harper was a retired X Ray Technician at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, and was a member of the Crab Orchard Church of the Brethren. She was a member of the gospel quartet, The Gospel Tones, where she sang gospel music for many years.

Mrs. Harper loved to sing, and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She loved the Lord with all her soul and spirit, and dedicated her life in serving and witnessing for her Lord, Jesus Christ.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Ramona Sarrett Rupe.

Those survivors left to cherish her memory include her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, James Harper; her loving children, Lynn Harper Subbaraya and husband Deepak of Hope Mills, NC, Jaime Harper of Beckley, and Jason Harper and wife Sarah of Arnett; six grandchildren, Priya, Dinesh and Lira, Noah, Lucas and Jackson; great grandson Axl; a brother Roger Sarrett and wife Betty of Beckley. Mrs. Harper also leaves behind her special pets, Chip, Maggie, Stevie, Josie, and Johnny.

Funeral services will be conducted to Celebrate the Life of Rita Mae Harper at the Amos E. Quesenberry Peace Chapel of Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home in Beckley, WV on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM, with Pastor Glen Sage officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 until 6:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home. A private burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Prosperity, WV on Friday morning May 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM.

Pallbearers will be Noah Lucas, Jason Harper, Jackson Harper, Dinesh Subbaraya, and Joseph Severino.

Private online condolences, and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net .

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV.