Rita Harper

Rita Strickland Harper, 75, beloved wife of Gary Harper for 51 years went to be with the Lord on August 23, 2024, in their Penney Farms Retirement Community home where the couple had resided for the past 10 months. The couple previously resided in the Loch Rane Community in Orange Park for 30 years.

Rita was the daughter of Samuel and Bessie Strickland of Homerville, Georgia (born on February 24, 1949) and had one brother, Robert Strickland, from Blackshear, Georgia. 

Rita is survived by her husband Gary; her daughter Brittany Sohbatzadeh (married to Shayan) and her granddaughter Elizabeth; her son Stuart Harper (married to Anell); her brother Robert Strickland (married to June) and her aunt Erma Rae Cox plus multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.

Rita attended and graduated from Valdosta State College and later attended the University of North Florida to add a Masters Degree to her educational accomplishments. She worked as a special education teacher, an administrator and then as a stay-at-home mother to care for her children.

Rita was active in the community participating in the Orange Park Garden Club and served as president of the Road Runner circle she attended. She also participated in the Camellia Society of North Florida. She enjoyed gardening and flower arranging as well as table designing at celebrations. Her own yard contained many specimens of camellias and was the location for several garden club events.

Rita was a member of Pinewood Presbyterian Church and very active within the church body.

Services for Rita will be conducted at Pinewood Presbyterian Church (198 Knight Boxx Road in Middleburg, FL 32068) at 11:00 AM on August 29, 2024 with graveside services immediately following at Penney Farms cemetery at 12:30 pm followed by a reception at Penney Farms Retirement Community at 1:00 pm.

Family and friends are encouraged to make donations to the local American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.