Betty Jean Harper went home to her Lord on January 21, 2020, at the age of 88. She was a beloved wife and mother and the adored grandmother of many who called her Grandma Betty.

Betty was a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and a longtime resident of Ruston. She was an intelligent woman, avid reader and a creative person who found outlets for that expression in many areas of life. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, needlework, painting, and quilting. Betty was also a gifted storyteller and crafted wonderful stories for her grandchildren.

Betty married Eldred Lynn Kilpatrick Sr. in 1947, just weeks before her 16th birthday. She remained a devoted wife until his death in 1982 after 35 years of marriage.

Due to her early marriage, Betty was not able to complete her high school education.  However, despite many obstacles to doing so, in her 40s she entered an adult learning program and completed her high school equivalency. Her children and grandchildren were privileged and proud to watch her graduate. For much of her life, Betty was a homemaker. However, after being widowed, Betty entered the workforce and became a restaurant manager. Her natural intelligence, hard work and sheer determination allowed her to begin a career at the age of 51 and succeed.

In 1986, Betty was blessed with a loving second marriage to J.D. Harper. Through their marriage, Betty gained two sons, Ronald Harper and Robert Harper. J.D. worked as a truck driver, and Betty joined him on the road where they traveled many miles, saw the country and had untold adventures. They marked their anniversary each month and truly enjoyed 33 years, 9 months and one day of marriage. She and J.D. brought each other great joy.

Betty loved her family well and was loved deeply in return. She was kind, funny and stronger than she knew. Her wonderful laugh and personal blend of sweetness and sass will be missed by all who knew her.

Betty is survived by her loving husband, J.D Harper; daughter, Lynnette Bailey and husband, Marcus; son, Lynn "Pat" Kilpatrick and wife, June; and son, Ronald Harper and wife, Cathy. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jenniffer "Shellie" LeDoux and husband, Randall, Karen Fields, Johnnette Fields, Christy Kilpatrick and husband, Michael Hart, Kelley Porter, Curtis Harper, Ashley Harper, Sonya Harper, Brittany Harper, Kyle Harper, Amanda Harper, Curtis Stewart and wife, Paige, Jacqueline Spode and husband, Shaun, John Moses and wife, Mary, and Sterling Albritton Jr. ; great-grandchildren Brad Fields, Jake Hubbard, Brandon Hubbard, Russell Hubbard, Joshua Fields, Ashlan Fields, Autumn Jackson, Blakley Porter, Addison Porter, Zander Harper, Zeva Harper, Samantha Harper, Judd Brown, Christopher Hockenberry, Serenity Hockenberry, Adiland Dean, Ryland Bergeron, Brianna Stewart, Nathan Gravois, Cooper Gravois, Mollie Spode, Ashley Moses, Kell Moses, John Michael Moses, and Zachary Albritton; Great-great grandchildren Kasyn, Ava, Scarlett, Hazel, Joshua Jr., and Paisley,

Betty is preceded in death by her first husband, Eldred Lynn Kilpatrick Sr., son, Robert Harper, and great-grandchild, Robert Lee Bouwell Jr.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 25, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Choudrant, Louisiana. Funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm, also at Pleasant Grove Baptist.