Paul N. Harper, 86, of Pine Bluff, died Sunday, December 20, 2009 at Little Rock. He was born, May 10, 1923, to the late Allen Lee and Ora Virginia Gregory Harper of Grant County. Other than his parents, Mr. Harper was pre-deceased by two brothers, Coy Harper of Sheridan and Clarence Harper of Hardin; four sisters, Gladys Lee Murphy (Delton) of Pine Bluff, Mary Francis Coates (Charlie) of Dollarway, Willie Mae Hill (Clarence) of Sheridan, Helen Marie McDonald (David) of Dollarway, and later North Carolina.

He is survived by one sister, Ida Faye Woodfield (Euel "Buddy") of Long Beach, Mississippi; 17 nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Patsy Varner, David Harper and Flo Harper for the tireless devotion they extended for Paul's care for so long.

Mr. Harper lived in Grant County until he entered the U.S. Army in 1943. After his military service in 1946, he settled in California where he met, and married, Betty Regello. After retiring as a commercial painter, he returned to Arkansas where he lived in Pine Bluff until his death.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel in Sheridan with Rev. Jim Baker officiating. Interment will follow in Lost Creek Cemetery. Visitation will also be Tuesday, from 1:00 P.M. until time of service.

Pallbearers are David Harper, Gary Harper, Williams Harper, Steve Woodfield, Rick Woodfield, Darren Smith and Tommy Howard.