Nathan A Harper

God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be.  He wrapped you in his loving arms and whispered "Nathan, come with me. You suffered much in silence, your spirit did not bend you faced your pain with courage, until the very end.  You tried so hard to stay with us, but your fight was not in vain, God took Rev. Dr. Harper to His loving home and freed him from the pain.

Rev. Dr. Nathan Alexander Harper, Sr. was called from earth to glory on Saturday, January 9, 2021.  Nathan was born in Roanoke, VA on December 17th to William Venson Harper and the late Joyce Ann Graham Harper.  In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, John V. and Jacqueline C. Harper and Lawrence Martin and Roberta Graham, and brother Lamond Price.

Nathan was educated in the Roanoke City Public Schools.  He received his Bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University, Master's Degree from the University of  Michigan, and a Doctorate of Psychology  and a Doctorate of Divinity from KBP Divinity School.

He served his county in the US Navy.  Upon leaving the Navy, Nathan was a teacher's assistant at the TAP Head Start.  He later became an At-Risk Teacher, wrestling and football coach and a school bus driver for Roanoke City Schools.  These positions with Roanoke City Schools were held at the same time in which he was employed with the Great American Trailways and later the Abbott Bus Lines.  Nathan worked a total of 20 years for the Motor Coach Industry, safely driving over a million miles, transporting Musical entertainers, professional and college sports teams, the military, schools, community and church groups.  Upon relocating to Farmville, Nathan was employed with the Greater Richmond Transit System (GRTC) first as a Bus Operator and then as a field supervisor.  He was also employed with the Buckingham County Public Schools as a substitute teacher and bus driver.

In July 2015, Nathan switched place with the driver in South Carolina and transported a church youth ministry to Orlando, FL.  From that trip, a friendship and bond was formed.  He later drove the Midway Youth Ministry to Pennsylvania.  He was invited to fellowship with Midway and when he had the weekend off, Dr. Harper was there attending services.  In February 2016, Dr. Harper joined the Midway Baptist Church in Farmville and became one of the Associate Ministers under Pastor Irma T. Watson.  On July 9, 2016, Nathan married Latasha Garrett Harper.

Left to rejoice in his memory; his wife; Latasha Garrett Harper, his children; Brian Christopher Norman, Nathan Alexander Harper, Jr., and Khamaryah Azzanni Clark, all of Roanoke, three grandchildren; Tavian Allen Norman, Damari Littles, and Brian Christopher Norman, Jr., his Father; William V. Harper, Sr., Mother and Father-in-laws; Joseph W. and Jeannette Garrett of Dillwyn, Sisters; Wanda (Wilton) Aiken of Winston-Salem, NC, Jacquelyn Roberta Harper and Theresa Denise Sullivan of Roanoke, Cherre Hannah (Steven) March of Jonesville, NC, Angela Walker Jamison of Roanoke, Vurgess Y. (Alvin) Dent-Jones of Texas, Brothers; William V. Harper II and Julius Jovan Scott of Roanoke, William V. Harper, III of Ronda, NC, Jhonhenri Dent of Oklahoma, Brother-in-law; Joseph F. (Sherice) Garrett, two Godsons; Marcus Taylor Harper and Kai Miller, Goddaughter; Ari Jones, friend and mentor; Mr. Eugene Williams and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

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