Aileen Harper
Aileen Montary Stokes Harper was born in Washington, DC, to the late Kathleen Stokes Ashton and Gilbert Stokes on January 22,1943. She completed her earthly stay on January 30, 2022.
She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Olivia Michelle Helton; sister, Patricia Stokes Dennis; brother, Gilbert Dennis Stokes and special friend, James "Louis" Gee.
She was a faithful member of the Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a Deaconess, attended Sunday School, and taught vacation Bible School. She began her academic career at Spingarn High School in Washington, DC where she graduated as a member of the class of 1960. She earned her undergraduate degree from DC Teachers College and her master's degree, as a reading specialist, from Slippery Rock University in the borough of Slippery Rock, Pa. Her teaching career spanned from Washington, DC, Denver, Co., The Philippines, Dayton, Oh., Aliquippa, Pa., to Chattanooga, where she retired in 2008. Other than God and family, being an educator was her passion.
Aileen enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and she was an amazing cook; she made sure that everyone she encountered could read. Her legacy is literacy. Aileen shared 53 years of marital bliss with Hobert, the love of her life, and they raised three lovely daughters.![]()
She leaves to cherish precious memories: a loving and devoted husband, Hobert Harper of
Chattanooga; daughters, Michelle Stacey (Gary) Brito of Arlington, Va.; Candice Audran Harper of Alexandria, Va., and Kimberly Patricia (Johnny) Graham of Williamsburg, Va.; sisters, Sylvia (Robert) Barrow of Fernandina Beach, Fl.; Cecelia Stokes, of Columbia, Md., and Camille (Mace) Matthews of Jacksonville, Fl.; brother, Ivan (Lucy) Stokes of Jacksonville FL; seven grandchildren; Matthew Brito, Patrick Brito, Christopher Finch, Julian Finch, Hannah Sneller, Jeffrey Graham, Ashton Graham; great-grands, Delilah Cooper, Savannah Finch; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends and special, Godly friend, Mary "Joyce" Gee.
Public viewing will be held from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, followed by a noon chapel service at John P. Franklin Funeral Home. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.