Virgie Sellers Harper

ATHENS, GA -- Virgie Sellers Harper, known to many as "Mimi", died on Sunday, October 12, 2014, peacefully in her sleep. She was 95.

The daughter of Virgil O. Sellers and Quincy Barnes Sellers, Virgie was born in Dothan, Alabama. She often recalled the adventure her family embarked upon when seven people traveled in a Ford Model-T from Dothan to Miami. Virgie spent 44 years in Miami, where she met her husband, Eugene "Gene" Harper, Sr., and they married at the courthouse in 1939.

The Harpers had two children in Miami, and moved to Hartwell, GA in 1968, living on Lake Hartwell. Virgie often told stories of creating her own fun in Hartwell, since it didn't have the attractions of a big city. She hosted dinner parties, participated in the local Garden Club, kept a meticulous rose garden, enjoyed water skiing until she was 67, hosted Bridge games and taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church in Hartwell. She taught over 101 people to water ski and taught Sunday school for 45 years. Virgie loved to travel and experience new places.

After moving to Athens in 1992, Virgie settled into Woodhaven and became a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church. Virgie enjoyed participating in local Bridge groups and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 2010, Virgie moved to Iris Place on Epps Bridge Pkwy, where she remained until the time of her death.

She is survived by her children, Eugene W. Harper, Jr. (Dollie Harper) of Gainesville and Susan H. Costa (Joe Costa) of Athens; her grandchildren Joey Costa (Amanda Costa), Cindy Costa Reynolds (Justin Reynolds), and Sonya Carr (Clarence Carr); her great grandchildren, Noah and Tate Costa (Joey Costa), Nora Reynolds (Cindy Reynolds), and Lindsay and Taylor Carr (Sonya Carr).

Virgie was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Harper, Sr., her parents, Virgil O. Sellers and Quincy Barnes Sellers; her three siblings, Ray Sellers (Myrvin Sellers), Sarah Berry (Duke Berry), and Lenora Becker (Marvin Becker).

A Memorial Service will be held for Virgie Harper on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 2 pm at the chapel at Lord and Stephens West, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Bogart, GA, 30622. The family will receive visitors from before the Memorial Service from 1 - 2 pm. A burial service will be held at Cedar Creek Baptist Church, 3285 Elberton Hwy, Hartwell, GA, 30643, at 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jon Desso Foundation, Inc., (P.O. Box 49426, Athens, GA 30604) for Prince Avenue Christian School scholarships, or to your favorite charity.

Lord & Stephens, West is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com