Adelaide Wallace Harper

Adelaide Wallace Harper, 97, always dreamed of flyingand that she did as she left this world to meet her Savior on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.

Born in Rocky Branch, Texas, Ms. Harper was the only child of Giles Alexander and Dannie Ruth Beasley Wallace. She was a graduate of Fair Park High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she was the first Queen of Mardi Gras, Most Beautiful and Queen of Fair Park High. She continued her education at Centenary College, where she majored in Accounting. She owned multiple businesses in Shreveport, including several beauty salons and hardware stores.

Ms. Harper lived in Baton Rouge for many years, where she started the Newcomers' Club and Dixie Decorators. She was also a member of Epochal Study Group, Baton Rouge Garden Club, and Tara Garden Club. Ms. Harper worked tirelessly as a fundraiser for various charity groups. She was a real estate agent and earned the esteemed recognition of becoming the number one salesman in the State of Louisiana. In 1971, Ms. Harper moved to Lake Charles, where she and her daughter owned the Jean Shack, Bridal Cottage, Pat's Tux Rentals and Adelaide's Bed Breakfast. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Lake Charles.

Ms. Harper grew up loving to hunt, salt- and fresh-water fish and boat, and she pursued these loves throughout her lifetime. All things outdoors brought joy to her, and she took great delight in sharing her flowers and vegetables with her family and friends. She was an avid sportsfan all her life, thoroughly enjoying NASCAR, golf and football in the later years of her life.

Survivors include her daughter, Patty Harper of Lake Charles; sons, Randy Harper, also of Lake Charles, and Michael Harper of Houston; grandsons, Taylor Harper and wife Amber and Blake Harper; and granddaughters in heart, Allison Stokes Carnahan and husband Jared, and Taylor Stokes.

Because of her love for the water, a time of visitation and a service to celebrate her life will be held Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. in the Calcasieu Room at Prien Lake Park.

Memorial donations may be made to Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana, P. O. Box 86458, Baton Rouge, LA 70879.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the doctors and staff of Christus Hospice and Palliative Care for the compassionate care given their beloved mother.