Obituary
Jean Harp passed on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at the age of 93. Born
Barbara Jean Mains, her friends know her as Jean. She was the 4th child of
Hazel Francis Breakey Mains and Emory Booth Mains born January 26,
1928, in Marshall, Michigan. She is survived by daughters Diane (William) McAllister and
Cheryl (David,deceased) Gardner, son Whitney
(Patricia) Harp, 3 grandsons, 4 granddaughters, 14 great-grandchildren, and 12
great-great-grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Jean’s beloved husband, David Woodrow Harp, preceded her in
death. Her older sister, Thelma Margaret Smith, preceded Jean in
death on March 12, 2021, at the age of 99 years old, and her brothers,
Ray Junior Mains and Donald Lee Mains had preceded the sisters.
Jean accepted Jesus and was baptized in Michigan at the age of 4. As an
adult, Jean joined the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando in 1957. She
attended Abundant Life and then later Answers for Living Sunday School
Classes. Feeling the call to serve with a passionate heart for the Lord, Jean
accepted being elected as an Elder, served on the Mission and Worship
Committees of First Presbyterian of Orlando and Central Florida Presbytery,
and on the Committee for Preparation for Ministry. Jean was sponsored by a
friend to participate in a Walk to Emmaus, which sparked so much joy for
Jean that she sponsored several friends and served as an “Angel” for other
Walk to Emmaus events. Jean also had a passion for serving the Women’s
Ministry as a member of Circle 7 with her daughter, Diane, where Jean led
Bible Study and served as moderator of Presbyterian Women of First
Presbyterian Church. Another highlight of Jean’s service to the Lord with
family was with her son, Whitney, who attended Lutheran High School and
taught a Kerygma Bible Study.
Jean further served as Mission Coordinator and Enabler for the Central
Florida Presbytery Presbyterian Women receiving a Presbyterian Women’s
Life Membership in 1993. Jean’s passionate service led her to be one of 24
women representing Central Florida Presbytery Presbyterian Women on
the Global Exchange in 1999 to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, and
Palestine, discussing women’s and children’s issues. Upon returning, Jean
shared the experience with home church communities for the next two
years. Jean’s love for missions continued as she traveled to Brazil with Hope
International to provide housing and training for boys living on the street.
In addition to her experience as a missionary, Jean traveled extensively with
friends and family. Jean traveled to Israel with her close friend, Hilda, and
Robert Schuler after Jean lost her husband, David, in 1989. Jean also
traveled to Oberammergau, Germany to see the live Passion Play that was
only performed every 10 years, and to Wales, Scotland, England, and Ireland,
where she kissed the Blarney Stone. Jean further traveled with her family
on a Mediterranean Cruise in 2006 with daughter Cheryl, son-in-law David,
granddaughter Christa, and friends to Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, and
Spain.
Jean was also an accomplished career woman. She loved to tell family and
friends stories about working as a switchboard operator, managing a Fanny
Farmer Candy Store, and managing the credit department of a Belk’s
department store. Jean fearlessly traveled to Florida to expand her sister
Thelma’s mobile home sales, and, although that didn’t work out as Jean
expected, God was in control. He led Jean to a position as a receptionist and
realtor at Wamsley Realty where she met her husband, David Woodrow
Harp, who was led to Florida after retiring from the Navy to be closer to
sister Olive Wamsley.
It was love at first sight. Just a short while later, on March 23, 1963, David
and Jean were married in just the second wedding performed at the newly
built Chapel at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. Soon after, they
opened Harp Realty Inc., where Jean was the Broker and David was
Property Manager. Later, Cheryl joined as Office Manager and Realtor and
Whitney became the Broker. Jean only retired in 2010. Thereafter, Jean
enjoyed living with her daughter, Cheryl, and granddaughter, Jessica.
Jean lived her life as a role model for many, dedicated to her passions — the
Lord, Church, and beloved family.
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