Leta Lu Barkley Harper, 79, passed away in Huntsville, Alabama after an extended illness on November 28, 2011. She was a longtime Whitewright resident. She was born in Venus, Texas on January 11, 1932 to Eddie Patterson Barkley and Lula Belle Tolbert Barkley. Ms. Harper graduated from Midlothian High School and received a Bachelor Degree in Education from North Texas State University. She was married to J.A. Harper on June 20, 1954. Ms. Harper spent many years working at Whitewright High School as an educator and mentor. She was a faithful member of the Whitewright Church of Christ. She was survived by her children, Allan Harper of Kingwood, TX and Jayne Harper Allen of Madison, AL; grandchildren, Shanna Harper Cooper of Leander, TX , Ashley Allen Ranguelov of Madison, AL, Haley Allen Huff of Madison, AL, and Brittany Harper of Kingwood, TX and great grandchild, Sean Ranguelov of Madison, AL. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, J. A. Harper; her parents, Eddie and Lula Barkley; and her brothers, Paul Barkley, Robert Barkley, Alvis Barkley and John Barkley. The funeral will be held at the Church of Christ in Whitewright on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 10 A.M. Officiating the service will be Mr. Frazier Conley. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Whitewright. Pallbearers will be her nephews, Robert Barkley, William Barkley, Paul Barkley, John Barkley, Darryl Barkley and Greg Barkley.