Dorothy E. "Betty" Harper

July 26, 1937 - February 16, 2021

Dorothy E. "Betty" Harper, 83, of Point Pleasant, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at home after a brief illness. She was born July 26, 1937, in Powellton, WV, a daughter of the late William Edward and Ruby Mae Buchanan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Harper; brothers, William E. Buchanan, Jr. and James Thomas Buchanan; and a sister, Lenora White. Betty was a 1955 graduate of Montgomery High School and a 1958 graduate of Laird Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Montgomery, WV. As a registered nurse practicing for over 52 years she worked as a Pleasants County Health Nurse, and Pleasant Valley Hospital Head Nurse, where she also worked in ICU/ER. She taught medical terminology and CNA classes for several semesters at the Mason County Vocational School before switching to Nursing Administration becoming Director of Nursing at Lakin Nursing and Rehabilitation, Carehaven in Point Pleasant and Middleton Estates of Gallipolis Ohio. Her last job as a registered nurse before full time retirement was at the Lakin State Prison for Women in 2010. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church for nearly 40 years, where she played the organ for 25 years. She was a past member of the Mason County Republican Executive Committee and worked local election polls for several election cycles. Betty is survived by her children, Sharon Clark of Newark, OH, Rusty (Coni) Wood, Jr. of Point Pleasant, Kelly (JR) Porter of Gallipolis, OH and Beth Patterson of Fredericksburg, VA; grandchildren, Kristen, Troy, Josh, Seth, Kayla, Terra, Uriah, Allison and Jacob; and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Bill Buchanan of Point Pleasant; one sister, Hedra (Stephen) Burdick of Ellerslie, GA; and a special niece, Deb Sizemore. A funeral service will be 1 p.m. Sunday, February 28, 2021, at Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant, with Pastor Randy Patterson officiating. A nurse honor service will also be given by the Nurse Honor Guard of the Ohio Valley. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the funeral service Sunday at the funeral home. Social distancing will be observed and face masks are required. The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff of Hospice of Huntington and Holzer Medical Center Rehabilitation Unit. Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.