∼The son of Malachi Harper, Sr. and his second wife, Mary Jane Sykes Lane. Husband of Justina "Tiny" Westberry Harper. Father of Henderson; Malachi J; Raymond R; Stephen William; James; Lemuel; Nellie Marie Harper Westberry; Minnie Lee Harper Bennett Millikin; George W; Mary Elizabeth Harper Harris; Nolan; Lesse Amelia Harper Conger and Vernon Emory. besides running a farm, Malachi had a job sawing lumber away from home.According to a written family history,Malachi became very ill in August of 1929. On August 30, 1929, Malachi went to town to get a shave and a haircut and bought some groceries. When he returned home, he asked Tiny to make him some "muffin cakes." As Tiny was preparing the cakes, Malachi cried out to her. Tiny ran to the bedroom and shortly thereafter Malachi died. Obituary in the Jesup sentinel Jesup, Georgia, September 5, 1929: MH Harper, 72, died at his home near Gardi, Georgia on Friday, August 30th after a severe illness of only a few hours. He had been in bad health for a long time but was apparently doing well until Friday when he was suddenly stricken with acute indigestion which lasted only an hour or so. Mr. Harper was a life-long citizen of Wayne County and one of the county's leading farmers and Christians. He reared a family that has proven his stirling attitude to this life and life to come and whenever his name is mentioned the thought of a Christian life bears prominence. He married Miss Tiny Westberry in 1875, who was a Wayne County girl and unto this union 13 children were born. These sons and daughters are all of age and have married and scattered to their respective places of choice for making a livlihood. They were all reared under the Christian leadership of Mr. Harper, the deceased,the Baptist faith being their choice. Mr.Harper was a member of the Little Creek Baptist Church forty years or more. He last words were: "I am prepared to go." The funeral was held at Little Creek Baptist Church, Sunday afternoon, September 1st at three o'clock with the Reverend Ralph Moore, pastor of the Jesup Baptist Church together with Reverend Mills, Jesup and Reverend Lovingood assisting. Internment was in Little Creek Cemetery. Surviving the deceased, besides his widow are four daughters: Mrs JD Westberry, of Waycross; Mrs. WG Bennett of Screven; Mrs. Harris of SCreven; Mrs. WC Conger, Tifton; and nine sons: HH Harper, Tallahassee, Florida; MJ Harper, Gardi; Steve Harper, Jesup; RR Harper, Waycross; JJ Harper, Lakeland, Florida; LL Harper, Atlanta, Georgia; george Harper of Savannah; Nolan Harper, Screven and Vernon Harper, Jesup. Pallbearers were WB Gibbs; AW Dowling; HL Heritage; IM Raybon; Sherod Poppell and WD Turner. Stewart and Knight Undertakers were in chargeThe Jesup Sentinel, Wayne County, Georgia, Thursday, September 5, 1929.
Aged Wayne Citizen Passes Last Friday - M. H. Harper, 72, died at his home near Gardi, Ga. Friday, August 30th after a severe illness of only a few hours. He had been in bad health for a long time but was apparently doing well until Friday when he was suddenly stricken with acute indigestion which lasted only an hour or so. Mr. Harper was a life long citizen of Wayne County, and one of the county's leading farmers and Christians. He reared a family that has proven his stirling attitude to this life and the life to come and whenever his name is mentioned the thought of a Christian life bears prominence. He married Miss Tiny Westberry in 1875, who was a Wayne County girl and unto this union 13 children were born. These sons and daughters are all of age and have married and scattered to their respective places of choice for making a livelihood. They were all reared under the Christian leadership of Mr. Harper, the deceased, the Baptist faith being their coice. Mr. Harper was a member of the Little creek Baptist Church forty years or more. His last words were "I am prepared and ready to go." The funeral was held at Little Creek Baptist Church, Sunday afternoon, September 1st at 3 o'clock with Rev. Ralph Moore, pastor of the Jesup Baptist Church together with Rev. Mills, Jesup and Rev. Lovingood assisting. Interment was in Little Creek Cemetery. Surviving the deceased, besides his widow, are four daughters, Mrs. J. D. Westberry, of Waycross, Mrs. W. G. Bennett of Screven, Mrs. Harris of Screven, Mrs. W. C. Conger, Tifton; and nine sons, H. H. Harper, Tallahassee, Fla., M. J. Harper, Gardi, Steve Harper, Jesup, R. R. Harper, Waycross, J. J. Harper, Lakeland, Fla., L. L. Harper, Atlanta, Ga., George Harper of Savannah, Nolan Harper, Screven, and Vernon Harper, Jesup. Pallbearers were W. B. Gibbs, A. W. Dowling, H. L. Heritage, I. M. Raybon, Sherod Poppell, and W. D. Turner. Stewart and Knight Undertakers in charge.