Estella (Jones) Harper

Rachel “Estella” Barnett Harper a/k/a Plum

Born December 25, 1918 in Coatopa, AL to the late Ben and Mary Bell (Coleman) Jones and she was the sixth child born to this union.

She confessed Christ as her personal savior at an early age in Alabama, where she served on the Usher Board.  After moving to Joliet, she joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church and continued to usher.  She later joined St. Paul M.B. Church, where she was faithful in attendance as an usher until her health began to decline.

In 1940, Estella was united in marriage to the late Reverend Alonzo Barnett until his death.  She later married, Isaiah Harper.

In 1945, the family moved from Laurel, MS to Joliet.  Her first job in Joliet was a Hair Stylist.  She followed her passion and became a cook for which she was well known for and employed by many of the local restaurants, one of them being Syl’s.  She also did some domestic work as well and later retired from Sunny Hill Nursing Home and Dairy Queen.

She lived a healthy life until she became ill in April 2013 and was then cared for by her niece, Bernice (Fred) Henderson until her death on January 11, 2014.

She is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, one son, five brothers; Robert Jones, Jimmy L. Jones, Green Jones, Milton Jones, and Esidore Jones, five sisters; Lula Oliver, Ada Bell Chambers, Bernice Hinton, Clarise McDonald and Alberta Jones

She leaves to cherish fond memories; two grandsons; Percy Barnett, Jr. (Kim) of Virginia and Gary Barnett of Joliet, IL, one daughter-in-law, Mattie Ann Barnett of Ohio; four grandchildren; Nathaniel Scott, Lauren Barnett, Bryant Barnett and Nicholas Barnett, dear friend, Dorothy Hayes, her church family, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Many thanks to sisters; Mary Jones, Wendy Keyes, Dorothy Hayes, Mandy Craig, Charlene Wallace, also Pastor Edward Martin, Jr. and Assistant Pastor, Bennie Yarbough, Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, Villa Franciscan and Symphony of Joliet Rehabs.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 PM and Saturday, January 18, 2014 from 9:00-10:00 AM at St. Paul M.B. Church, 1404 S. Briggs St., Joliet, IL. Service at 10:00 AM, Pastor Edward Martin, Jr. officiating,  Interment following at Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet, IL.

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