BETTY (NEW) HARPER Obituary

Mrs. Betty Ann (New) Harper, of Liberty Township, Ohio, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Arlington Pointe Care Center in Middletown, Ohio, having attained the age of 90 years, 11 months, and 9 days. She was born in Wayne County, Kentucky, on Thursday, November 21, 1935, the daughter of Dellas Ewell & Sarah Ethel (Nevels) New.

At the age of 13, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior at West Science Hill Baptist Church and was baptized in Big Clifty Creek. She was a member of Northbrook Baptist Church, where she faithfully taught the second-grade girls' Sunday School class for many years. A devoted homemaker, she enjoyed cooking, baking, decorating, gardening, sewing, crocheting, reading, and listening to music. She especially enjoyed entertaining family and friends and was known for making everyone feel welcome in her home. From an early age, she demonstrated a loving and caring spirit, helping care for her family during her mother's illness and later helping raise two nephews and a niece following her sister's passing. Above all, she loved her family, her church, and her Lord.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Lee Harper, whom she wed on September 14, 1956; her son, Jeffrey Daniel Harper; her sisters, Ruby Iva Dick, Loretta Ritchie, Clona Mae Wilson, Mary Katherine Dick; her brothers, John Ewell New, Glenn Oliver New, Earnest Edwin New; paternal grandparents, John Perry & Celia Jane (Denney) New; paternal step-grandmother, Etna Luvernia (New) New; maternal grandparents, Rev. John Riley & Julia (Owens) Nevels.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Thacker of Liberty Township, Ohio; her son, Howard Harper, Jr. of Osgood, Indiana; her sister, Barbara Sue (& Perry) Keller of Fairfield, Ohio; grandchildren, Sarah (& Tim) Osner, Abby (& Matt) Fleissner, Liana (& Mike) Sohmer, and Benjamin Harper; great-grandchildren, Addy Neal, Wyatt Neal, Asher Osner, Delaney Osner, Paisley Osner, Evan Sohmer, Noah Harper, Gabriel Harper, Ezra Harper, Samson Harper, and Penelope Harper; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The funeral service will be conducted on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 12:00 Noon at The FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH, 8580 Cheviot Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45251, with Bro. David Jackson officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 6, 2026, after 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour at the church. Burial will follow in the Reading Cemetery in Reading, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, contributions appreciated to The Friendship Baptist Church in her memory.

New's Monticello Funeral Home of Monticello, Kentucky, is honored to be in charge of all arrangements.

Obituary information courtesy of Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home.