Oct. 11, 1931 ~ Aug. 3, 2026
Our beloved mother, Mary Helen Holtkamp Harper, 94 of Sudan, Texas, passed away August 3, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. Services were held at 10:00 am at Sudan Methodist Church, Sudan, Texas, on Friday, August 7, 2026 with Pastor Cam Givan officiating. Burial followed in the Sudan Cemetery in Sudan, Texas, under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home.
Mary was born October 11, 1931, in rural Lamb County, Texas, to Leonel Albert Holtkamp and Norma Marie Alma (Hill) Holtkamp. She attended Littlefield schools from first grade through graduation. Mary married Raymond Dale Harper August 18, 1950. They were married 71 years until his death in 2021. She devoted her life to her faith and family, raising five children with love and kindness while ensuring that each child found faith in Christ.
Mary was active in the Sudan Methodist Church where she served as teacher of her Sunday School class and a dependable worker for Kids for Christ. She taught in many children's Bible classes throughout the years and taught in Vacation Bible Schools. Mary loved the outdoors, studying the Bible, gardening and quilting.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; her parents; and sister; Anna Lee Black.
She is survived by her son, Don (Barbara), daughter, Lisa (Tom Mills), daughter Lori (Mart Davison), son Dale (Laurie) and son David (Rita). She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Donald (Cheri), Daniel (Heather), Dustin (Tabatha) and Douglas (Erin) Harper; Brooke and Drew Mills; Ashley (Ben) Martinez, Jacey (Heath) Reeves, and Lindsey Davison; Seth (Erin) and Eli Harper; Adam, Andrew and Aaron (Raegan) Harper; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three great-greatgrandchildren. She is also survived by her brother and sisters-in-law, Edwin and Lavern Harper, Jan and Ken Sinclair; and many nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorials be sent to Memorial Fund Sudan Methodist Church, PO Box 56, Sudan, Texas, 79371. Online condolences may be made at www.ellisfuneralhomes.com.