Leon Eugene Harper, a native of Nansemond County, now Suffolk, transitioned from earth to glory on Monday, Feb. 22, 2016. He was the son of the late Eddie Harper and Ida Shepherd Harper.

A 1953 graduate of East Suffolk High School, Leon then attended Virginia State College (now University). He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served for more than 20 years, retiring as a dental technician. Leon also retired as a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service 18 years later.

Leon was a lifelong member of Union Baptist Church, where he served as chairman of the Trustee Ministry, a member of Sunday school and Bible study.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 58 years, Cleopatra Boone Harper; three sisters, Marian Smith and Ida Morton, both of Bronx, N.Y., and Mary Magaline Artis, of Suffolk; sister-in-law, Beatrice Reeves; brother-in-law, Robert Morton; goddaughters, Tanya Cyrus and Avis Shelton; special nephew, Harold Harper; special nieces, Sheila Lewis, Barbara Jean Artis and Arthalia Denise Kahan; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at Union Baptist Missionary Church, 5414 Nansemond Parkway. Elder Horace Roundtree will officiate, Bishop Clarence V. Russell Jr. will deliver the eulogy, and he will be laid to rest in Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive guests at 104 Reid St., Suffolk. Condolences to the Harper family may be extended to www.crockerfuneralhome.com.

Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.