Elizabeth Burnham Harpe
September 3, 1926 ~ September 6, 2015
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Elizabeth Burnham "Libby" Harpe, 89, died Sunday September 6, 2015 at the CarePartners Solace Center in Asheville after a brief illness.
Libby was born September 3, 1926 in Berryville, Arkansas, to Tommie Wade and Joseph A. Burnham. She attended the University of Arkansas where she majored in Commercial Art. In 1949, she met and married her husband of 60 years, Dr. Billy Lovelace Harpe.
She was predeceased by her husband, and is survived by her children: Sally and Merlin Young of Wendell, NC, Ann and John McIntosh of Charlotte, NC, Holly and Doug Lee of Waycross, GA, and Andrea and Chris Harpe of Anderson, SC.
"Wibbus" is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Katie Furr, Courtney Hickman, Laura Watson, Kristen Young, Erin Demo, Maggie McIntosh, Matt Lee, Lauren Tripp, Zack Lee, and Christopher, Jonathan, and Molly Harpe; and six great-grandchildren: Noah and Jude Furr, Ethan Hickman, Katherine and Ann McHaney Demo and Jack Lee.
Bill and Libby were longtime active members of Central United Methodist Church, where Libby was a faithful member of the Monday Morning Prayer group, and the bereavement committee. She was instrumental in the creation of the Memorial Garden at Central and took great pride in its completion. She was an accomplished artist, but her pride and focus was raising her four children and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Be it known that her deep faith and great love of family never deserted her.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 in the sanctuary at Central United Methodist Church, with Revs. Dr. Rob Blackburn and Chris Furr officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Respite Care Center, c/o Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St., Asheville, NC 28801, a cause very near and dear to her heart.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting with arrangements.
Dear Sally,Ann,Holly and Chris,
We thought a lot of your Mother and reading her obituary in today\’s paper brings back happy memories of the time when we all lived in Malvern Hills… your family and Tom and I and our children (Dan, Susan, Joe, Bob and Penny).
We send our love to each of you with prayers for God\’s comfort in the days ahead
Holly and family,
Our deepest condolences to each of you. Your mother is now pain free and rejoicing with Jesus. May God fill you with peace,comfort and strength thru the days ahead..
Our Love,
Kent,Sandy,Macee Baughan
and Arie:)
Your Mother was so special to me and I will remember Birthdays and Holidays that we shared together as God-mother and God-child. your family will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Love to all!!!!!
Dear Sally, Ann, Holly, Chris and families,
How very shocked and sad I was to return home today and hear about your precious Mother. I always told her she was my mentor, the one I relied on for advice and strength when I was a young Mother. What a wonderful wife and Mother she was! I have missed her so much since she moved ‘across town’, yet I thought of her every time I rode down Kimberly Avenue!… and many other times as well. Mickey and I loved and admired your parents for 49 years since we move here as newlyweds. We remember watching you all grow up and marry, start your families. How we enjoyed seeing all the pictures of you all on their refrigerator. I will cherish our memories of you all and always remember both of them and how very special they were!
So sorry to hear about your mother. She was always nice to me as part of the Malvern Hills gang and has been very kind to visit my mother at Givens assisted living. I am out of town and will not be able to come to the service, but please know that I am thinking of the Harpe family today
My friendship with Libby began in the CUMC Prayer Shawl Ministry. She brought joy to our group and was faithful in knitting for others. As she made preparations for her move to Givens, she gave me many of her knitting needles and books. What a treasure for me, a beginning knitter. She loaned me her needlepoint kneeling bench cover for my daughter’s wedding at Central last summer. She was always doing something for others with that gorgeous smile and clever disposition. Libby’s life was an example of Christian service that spanned her church and community. My sympathies to the Harpe family on your loss of this wonderful woman.
Sally, Ann, Holly & Chris, Your mom was a very dear lady and a great friend to our family. I have wonderful memories of all of us together in Malvern Hills and the good times shared. Libby continued to be a faithful friend to our mom over the many years and I always held your parents in high regard. I can now imagine a happy reunion of Libby, Charlotte and the Bills. My thoughts are with you all.
Dear Sally, Ann, Holly and Chris, I was so very sad to learn from Julie today that your sweet Mother passed away. I wanted to visit her when I was in Asheville in June for my high school reunion, but she wasn’t feeling up to it. So many special memories of all your family living next door on Chester Place. I was 10 years old when we moved there and all of you were six and younger. Your parents were the most wonderful people and so loved by me and everyone. I share in your sadness at this most difficult time. Such a blessing that you have so many wonderful years of cherished and treasured memories. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Wishing you much love! God bless!
Dear Sally, Ann, Holly and Chris,
We were sad to hear of your mother’s death via the Davids. We were friends
through Central church, Sunday School, Young mother’s circle and enjoyed
many casual get- togethers with your parents on our annual summer trips to
Asheville. I always think of your family sitting in the balcony in front of us on
Sunday and Holly’s cute top of the head pony tail! Libby and Bill were a dynamic duo – fun, funny, talented, loving, devoted to their children, and
faithful to their church.
Sending love and sympathy, Betsy and Gil Smith
Dear Holly and Family- So sorry to hear about your mother. Although it’s been years since I’ve seen her- I will always remember her as elegant, kind
and wonderful mother to you! My heart goes out to all of you as I lost my mom recently as well. God bless you- your friend always..