Martha Jane Harper

martha jane harper
Dr. Martha Jane Harper​, 76, passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 in Arlington. Memorial Service​: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Memorials​: Jane made arrangements for a large endowment to TCC, so we are asking friends and family to send red roses and red flowers for the service. She loved everything red. Jane was born on October 19, 1942 in Paris, Texas to D.L. and Christine Armstrong. She graduated from Paris High School with the highest grade point average on record. Jane received her B.A. in French and History in 1963, her M.A. in Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction and in French in 1966, and her Ph.D of SCI in Higher Education and French in 1967 all from East Texas State University. She was later honored as a Distinguished Alumni of ETSU. Dr. Harper helped start the Northeast campus of Tarrant County College (then TCJC) where she taught French for many years before becoming the Dean of Humanities. Jane was promoted to Vice President of Academic Affairs at NE Campus before transferring to the downtown offices of TCC as ​Associate Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs​. She was a wonderful educator who impacted the lives of those who worked with her or studied under her. One of her greatest joys was teaching teachers how to teach. Jane was also an accomplished musician - piano, organ, voice, flute, and cello. She shared her gift and love of music with the Arlington Civic Chorus, First Presbyterian Church, and as the piano accompanist for her granddaughter Rachel. Jane loved to travel and took many trips with friends and students to France, Italy, Switzerland, Singapore and other wonderful locations. She was always bringing gifts home to share the joy of her adventures with others. She was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Lewis Armstrong. Survivors​: Son, Bradley Drake Harper and his wife Deborah; grandchildren, Culver Drake Harper and his wife Ciara, Thomas Calvin Kost and Rachel Michelle Kost, and numerous other loving family members. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233

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  1. She was a wonderful lady who will be greatly missed. I worked with her on NE Campus and she always of great help and encouragement to the departments and students there.
    –Penny Cypert

  2. In loving memory of Jane! An inspiring artist! Her personal act of courage to create positive change in so many people will always reflect her life, love and light. So many loving memories to forever hold! I was blessed to have witnessed her success & inspiration in so many ways at the NE campus. My most heartfelt condolences.

  3. Blest Be The Tie That Binds is and old church hymn, but to our family it has a long history and
    deeper meaning. My grandmother signed every letter she wrote with “Blest Be The Tie That
    Binds”. I never really gave it much thought when I was young. It was just always at the bottom of
    the letters she wrote me.
    My grandmother wasn’t quoting an old church hymn, however. She was telling me the
    importance of family ties. We allow these ties to loosen with our busy lives, but my grandmother
    and mother were both asking me to keep those ties close in their subtle way.
    I thought I would have many more years with Mom. We had planned on her coming to a skilled
    nursing facility close to my house after her surgery where we would have breakfast every
    morning and make sure she was recovering well. Mom also talked about coming to stay with
    Deborah and me for a few weeks afterwards. We talked about taking walks together in the
    mornings and I was going to cook her meals and try to get her liver back in shape.
    The ICU nurse telling me that she wouldn’t make it through the day came as a shock. None of
    us were ready for this. I called the family and Mom waited for all to get there. I removed her
    oxygen mask and we watched as she took her last breaths.
    Remember to call your parents and children and tell them how much you love them. We never
    know when that day will come for each of us.
    “Blest Be The Tie That Binds”
    Brad Harper


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