Harriet Ruth Watson (Harper)

Harriet Ruth Harper Watson died peacefully in her sleep Friday April 5, 3013 at the Oaks Nursing Home in Monroe. She was born March 28, 1936 in Shreveport, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Albert Jonathan Harper, who proceeded her in death. Ruth graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport and Newcomb College of Tulane University where she was a Pi Beta Phi and elected Homecoming Queen. Her education continued with a Masters plus thirty from University of Louisiana in Monroe. After twenty years of public school teaching, primarily in Tensas parish at Newellton High School and Davidson High School, she continued her love of learning. She earned a degree from the Paralegal Institute of Philadelphia, PA and studied for her Masters in Pastoral Care at Loyola University in New Orleans. She enjoyed living in Colorado from Denver to Buena Vista where she was very involved in the Episcopal Church and volunteered to teach at several prisons. She eventually moved back to St. Joseph to be near her family and friends. Ruth was active in the St. Joseph ministerial alliance and Christ Episcopal Church. She also served on the boards of the Shepard Center, Tensas Council on Aging, and the La Salle Community Action Committee. Ruth is survived by her daughter Rebecca Newell Watson Vizard and son-in-law Michael Rene Vizard of St. Joseph; Granddaughter Sarah Scott Vizard of New Orleans; Grandson Michael Ross Vizard of Nashville, TN; brother and sister-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Albert Jonathan Harper Jr. of Shreveport. She also claims many nieces and nephews, godchildren, and friends that she loved to write, visit and call. She will be remembered for all the lives she touched through her teaching and big heart, and mostly for all the greeting cards she loved to send. Pallbearers will be, Clyde Ray Arnold, Winn Blanche, Frank Burnside, Ricky Foster, Billy Guthrie, Glen Walker, Ron Walker, Ben Watson, Brooks Watson, Scott Watson. Honorary pallbearer will be Jack Grace Jr. The family will receive friends in Parish Hall behind Christ Episcopal Church in St. Joseph Sunday April 7, 2013 at 1 pm. In Lieu of flowers, Mrs. Watson and the family would like memorials to be given to Christ Episcopal Church, St. Joseph or the school of the donor’s choice. (Any Tensas Parish School, ULM, Tulane, or Byrd High School, Shreveport.)

Harriet Ruth Watson (Harper)

March 28, 1936 - April 5, 2013