Phyllis A. Harper

Phyllis A. Harper, a cherished member of the Forest community and a dedicated educator, passed away on December 8, 2025, at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She was born on August 17, 1950, in Forest, MS, where she remained a lifelong resident and a beloved figure among her family, friends, and students.

Phyllis graduated from E.T. Hawkins High School in 1968 and pursued her passion for education at Jackson State University. She devoted 36 years of her life to teaching special education at Forest High School, retiring in 1995. Her commitment to her students was unwavering, and her influence on their lives will be remembered for years to come.

Phyllis was not only a dedicated teacher but also an active member of the Lynch Chapel United Methodist Church in Forest, MS, where she participated in various community and church activities. Her warmth, kindness, and dedication to her faith brought comfort and inspiration to those who knew her.

She is survived by her loving husband, Willie Harper; her son, Willie S. Harper; her brother, Charles Lester Thomas; and her grandsons, Jace Malik Harper, Willie Sterling Harper Jr. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Lester Thomas and Annie Thomas, whose legacies of love and resilience she carried in her heart throughout her life.

Phyllis A. Harper’s legacy of service, dedication, and love will continue to inspire those she touched throughout her life. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

There will be no public services for Mrs. Harper, just a private family viewing.