Judy Ann (Stafford) Harper

Judy Ann Stafford Harper, 81, formally of Harrisburg and most recently of China Grove, died August 13, 2024, at Atrium Health Cabarrus after a period of declining health.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Judy's life will be held at Whitley's Funeral Home on Saturday, August 24, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. A private interment of cremains service will be held at the Salisbury National Cemetery at a later date.

Judy was born November 9, 1942, in Mecklenburg Co., a daughter of the late Ralph Oneal Stafford and Dorothy Mae Gillis Stafford. In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by her husband, William R. Harper in 2015 and her sister Jean S. Crump.

Judy was a lifelong area resident and graduate of East Meck High School. She worked in trucking logistics as an office administrator for various local companies and then worked as an office assistant until she retired to care for her first grandson.

Judy’s hobbies included working in her yard, reading and quilting gifts for everyone she knew. She loved music by The Bee Gees and Hallmark movies. Judy was huge Atlanta Braves fan.

Judy was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a foster mom, a grandmother and a great grandmother. Her family was her joy. She was only happy if she had pictures to show everyone she spoke to.

Those who remain to cherish her memory include her 2 daughters; Julie Nunn (Dale) of China Grove, Jan Brittain (Noah) of Gastonia and her 2 step-sons; William R. Harper II (Cheryl) and Michael Harper (Jenny), her brother, Jim Stafford of Woodstock GA and her sisters, Patti Phillips (Frank) of Charlotte and Linda Dobbs of Denver NC. Judy is also survived by 2 grandchildren; Joshua Burr (Rhea) of Lexington and Felicia Privette (Eddie) of Rockwell and 3 great-grandchildren; Everett Burr, Alexander Buckles and Logan Buckles.

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and should friends desire in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Judy's name to The Cabarrus County Humane Society.