Tommy Harper

Mr. Thomas (Tommy) Carl Harper, age 89, of Rock Hill, SC, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 surrounded by his loving wife of 66 years and his three daughters.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Bratton Funeral Home, 1455 Filbert Hwy., York, SC. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Rock Hill, 481 Hood Center Dr., Rock Hill, SC, 29730, with Reverend Jamie Burdette and Reverend Mark Dellinger officiating. Burial will follow at Bethesda Presbyterian Church Cemetery in York, SC.

Tommy was born on January 10, 1937, in York County, SC. He was the son of the late Edward Matthew Harper and Virgie Huggins Harper. He graduated from York High School in 1958 and from Winthrop College in 1973. Tommy was one of the first men to be accepted into the college and one of the first 50 men to graduate. He was a member of the Army National Guard for eight years; four in the Medical Corps and the remaining years with the reserves.

A highly spiritual man, Tommy served the church over the years in the capacity of Deacon, Elder, Sunday School teacher, and youth leader. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Rock Hill. He and Nell were also charter members of York Camp of Gideon’s International where he served in many offices through their 40+ years. He also served as a state officer for the South Carolina Gideon chapter. His faithfulness to spread the Gospel message and be about the Father’s business had an impact on many people, especially his family.

Tommy had a genuine love for the outdoors and enjoyed spending his time doing things he loved; hunting, golfing, or riding his tractor through the fields he planted with sunflowers each year. He enjoyed teaching his grandsons how to hunt and play golf. Whether he was hunting, playing a round of golf, or simply enjoying a beautiful day outdoors, he was happiest when he was in God’s creation.

Above all, Tommy was a devoted family man who cherished the time he spent with those he loved. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he took great pride in being called “PawPaw”, “Papa”, “Pop”, and “Big Papa”. His family was a source of pride and joy in his life, and he treasured the memories made together through the years; from a beach trip cut short by a hurricane years ago to playing Bingo with some of his great-grandchildren more recently. His quiet presence, kind heart, playful sense of humor, and mostly his love will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Tommy is survived by his loving wife, Nell Adkins Harper; his daughters, Sarah Childers (Steve), Jane DeLong (Russ), and Hope Dover (Keith). His eleven grandchildren: Adam and Amanda Childers, Trey and Channing Childers, Caleb and Meghan Childers, Katie and Donavon Burns, Jennifer and James Judd, Michael and Kelly DeLong, Andrew and Maddison DeLong, Nikki and Justin Wren, Amanda DeLong, Samuel Dover, and Emma Joy Dover; his fourteen great-grandchildren: Adalyn and Hollis Childers, Molly and Betsy Childers, Coleman and Hayden Burns, Ramsay Burris-Lucas, Madison Westmoreland, Cooper Greene, Charlotte and J Judd, Ethan Delong, and Lenorah and Frances DeLong; and his five great-great grandchildren: Harper, Haisley, Sayla, Shiloh, and Tucker. Also surviving are his sisters, Cathy Cole (Gary), Louise Moss (Larry), and Libby Lindley along with his sister-in-law, Anthea Harper and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by his siblings, Andy Harper, Peggy Wells, Dorothy Adkins, and Jerry Harper.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International, York Chapter, at PO Box 1093 York, SC 29745.

Friends and family are invited to share photos, memories, and condolences online at www.brattonfuneralhome.com

Bratton Funeral Home of York, SC is honored to serve the Harper family during this time of loss.

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