Bishop Melvin Harper

Bishop Melvin Harper was born on June 9, 1941, to the late Mr. Mercy Harper and Mrs. Rachael Shumake Harper. He departed this life on May 16, 2023. Bishop Harper attended Lithonia City Schools in Lithonia Georgia where he was born and raised. He confessed Christ at an early age. He was a member at Saint James Holiness Church as a teen. He later joined United Pentecostal Church, Inc. (UPC) ministries where he met his bride, Shirley Ann Miller. He married the love of his life on May 24, 1959, spending the next 64 years loving her and their four children. He also was a member at Scott’s Crossing Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Atlanta, GA for many years. He was asked by his Mother-in-law Edna Miller to help her build Mt. Olive UPC. Bishop Harper took on a second job and gave that paycheck faithfully to the church in order to ensure that the church would succeed. After spending years at Mt Olive, Bishop Harper was called to preach the gospel. In 1980 he began pastoring New Jerusalem Outreach Ministries. He loved preaching the gospel. His first sermon, entitled Mind Pollution, would be his landmark sermon for his calling. He was Chaplain for Dekalb County, GA Jails, and a member of the Repairers of the Breach organization, which was an active member for the State of Georgia Prison System. Bishop Harper also did not mind erecting a tent somewhere to hold service, or having a yard service in front of someone's home. He loved people and wanted them to know the God he served and loved! Bishop Harper was a stationary engineer by profession. He self-studied and passed the state of Georgia examination to become a certified professional engineer. He retired from Georgia Tech Institute of Technology where he worked as a Stationary Engineer from July 23, 1963 to January 31, 1994. He also worked simultaneously at Georgia Baptist Hospital as a Boiler Operator for many years. He graduated from Carver Bible College, and Luther Rice Theological Seminary with certificates in ministry. Bishop Harper was also a great cook, gardener, guitar player and guitar teacher. He loved going to the beach, enjoyed reading the Bible and most of all he he loved his family. Bishop Harper is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Harper, children Donette Harper- Mclarin, Connie Harper-Clark, Melvin Eugene Harper (Valerie) and Attorney Michael D. Harper. His grandchildren are Shatoria Mclarin (deceased), Erica Harper- Bolton (Mazi), Justin Mclarin (Christina), Courtney Harper-Douglas (Tranell), Monique Carter Harper, Shannon Harper- Ingram (Brain), Jeremy Mclarin (Malicha), Wes Michael Harper, Clark Craig J. Clark (Brianna), Gina Castell, Cassandra Evans (Armani), Christopher Roach, Shannon Roach and Sydni Roach. Bishop Harper had 20 Great Grandchildren and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren. He leaves his brothers Mercy Harper, Norris Harper (Lucy), Norman O Harper (Arabella), Rolly Harper (Brenda) and Otis Fretwell ( Marion). He also leaves his Brother-In-Laws Andrew Miller (Karen), Sanders Miller (Patricia ), Dennis Miller, Bishop Donoval Miller (Annie) as well as his Sister-In-Law Selena Miller. Bishop Harper has a host of additional relatives, friends and colleagues in the ministry. Bishop Harper lived a full life. He leaves an admirable legacy. He will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know him, but now we celebrate his life and know that he is free and with his Creator.

Tributes

Bishop Melvin Harper

June 9, 1941 - May 16, 2023