Tommie Dell Harper, 93, of Beaumont, Texas, passed Sept. 15, 2025.
Services are Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Antioch Baptist Church, 3920 W. Cardinal Dr., Beaumont, Texas. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. until Funeral at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Jamestown, Texas.
Tommie Dell Harper was born on July 26, 1932, in Jamestown, Texas, to the late Roosevelt Harper and Georgia Adams. He attended grade school in Jamestown, Texas, and from an early age was known for his kind spirit, strong work ethic, and love for family. Throughout his life, he lived with purpose, touching the lives of many and leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and dedication to his community.
He later married the love of his life, Marnell Bevil, and to this union their oldest child, Charles T. Harper, was born. Wanting to provide for his family, Tommie went to work and built a career in the timber and logging business. His first job was working for Walter Kyles, Sr., where he hauled pulpwood with exceptional skill and quickly earned the distinction of being his best driver.
He moved his family to Beaumont, Texas, and went to work for a construction company. He then launched a career with Perkins Roofing, where he became well known for his roofing skills, installing many residential and commercial roofs across Southeast Texas. His final job was as a school bus driver for Beaumont Independent School District, where he later retired. He later became a business partner with his cousin, Walter Kyles Jr., in Elk Construction. These roles reflected his unmatched dedication, reliability, and pride in his work—qualities that carried over into every part of his life. Tommie was a faithful member of Greater Zion Baptist Church and was honored as the eldest male saint of the congregation. He was also a true sports fanatic who loved watching all sports on television and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. On Friday nights, you could always find him at the local football games, cheering from the stands no matter which teams were playing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roosevelt Harper and Georgia Adams Kelly; his beloved wife, Marnell Bevil Harper; his son, Willie Lee Harper; three brothers, Leroy Kelly, Joe Nathan Kelly Sr., and Charlie Kelly; five sisters, Lola Seastrunk, Bessie Lee Bendy, Ruby Lee Wright, Jeanetta Miles, and Ruth Standoak; a daughter-in-law, Lutissa Harper; and a son-in-law, Ronnie Madison.
He leaves to cherish his memory two brothers, George Kelly (Debbie) and Leon Kelly (Margaret); a sister-in-law, Betty Kelly; four children, Charles Harper (Cynthia), Linda Young, Tommy Harper, and Latasha Madison; twelve grandchildren, Shammanika Renfro, Terrance Fleming (Xochilt), Patrick Young Jr. (Terentia), Krystle Tention (Marion), Latoya Young, Dewayne Harper (ShawnDella), Tora Harper, Willie Lee Harper, Nichole Harper (Bryan), Bryce Madison, Peyton Madison, and Brooke Madison; a grandchild in love, C’Brionne Hendrix; a son in love, Frederick Zeno (Marie), and a daughter in love, Sharon Brown-Hendrix, eighteen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Proctor’s Mortuary – Beaumont, is in charge of final arrangements, 3522 Washington Blvd., Beaumont, Texas, 77705; (409) 840-2022.The guest book can be signed; words of comfort and condolences for the family can be left at www.proctorsmortuary.com