Shirley Harpe

Funeral services for Mrs. Shirley Harpe, 86, retired educator, will be held at 11 AM on Monday, December 12, 2022 at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Greenhaven Memorial Garden in Elgin, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Mt. Moriah Soup Kitchen. Following Mrs. Harpe’s wishes, there will not be a public viewing.

On November 10, 1936, Shirley W. Harpe made her entrance into this world. She was born to the late John and Leola T. Wilkes in Chester, South Carolina. Mrs. Harpe entered into rest on December 6, 2022 in Columbia, South Carolina.

Shirley received her early education in the public schools of Chester, South Carolina. Following graduation, she attended Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina where she received her bachelors degree. Shirley would relocate up north with one of her sisters to search for better job opportunities. She found work as a public-school teacher and had the privilege of educating young minds in Dayton, Ohio, Washington, D.C. and within the Kershaw County School District.

Shirley was a member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. She served in the missionary ministry and the spiritual enrichment ministry. Shirley enjoyed playing Pokeno. She also enjoyed participating in the Kershaw County Senior Citizens group.

Shirley was preceded in death by her late husband, Nathaniel Harpe; her daughter, Sherrie B. Washington; and three siblings.

Those left to forever remember Shirley and cherish her memory include her grandchildren, Sherita Martinez (Carlos) of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Anthony Washington (Keva) of Fort Mill, South Carolina and Shana Washington of Rock Hill, South Carolina; great-granddaughters Isabella C. and Ariana S. Martinez of Rock Hill, South Carolina; great-grandson, Sloan A. Washington of Fort Mill, South Carolina; sister, Lois Hames Gray of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; a host of other relatives and friends.