Mattie M Harlan

Life Reflection Mattie M. (Draper) Harlan was born on September 15, 1934. She was the only daughter of Annie Augusta Bankhead and Alonzo Draper who preceded her in death. She was the oldest of 22 siblings. Mattie received her high school diploma at Noxubee Nigh school in Macon, Mississippi. She was the valedictorian of her class. She worked hard on the family farm and still managed to get her school work done. She married Thomas James Harlan (deceased) in December of 1952 in Detroit, MI. After hisjob transferred him to St. Louis, MO, two children were born to this union, Gloria Denise Harlan 'Tieicy" and Thomas James Harlan, Jr. Mattie was a homemaker who loved family gatherings and had a special giving heart and spirit for anyone she came in contact with. Mattie had a strong belief in Jesus Christ. When she sought the Lord, she stayed on the mourning bench all day praying to God to get saved or "Get Religion". After she received the Holy Spirit, she screamed and ran for miles praising the Lord. She was a member of Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. After fighting a good fight, finishing the course and keeping the faith, the Lord called Mattie home on Friday, May 10,2013 at 10:11 a.m. Mattie leaves to cherish her memory: one son, Thomas Harlan, Jr. (Beverly); one daughter, Gloria Harlan-LaRosa (Diavalo); one grand- son, Thomas Harlan, III; four granddaughters, Lakisha Steed, Krystal Harlan, Rashonda Steed and Dyamond Harlan; two great-granddaugh- ters, Dariyah and Darikah Davis and two great-grandsons, Jayden Tyree and D'Mauri Murphy; ten sisters, Aldean Jamison, Majorie Mitchell and Armenthas Swopeshire, all of St. Louis, MO, Carlean Draper and Brenda Donald of Columbus, MS, Lillie Ruth Person of Clinton, MS, Sherri Bardley of Starksville, MS, Betty Jean Mosley of Gary, IN, Ruby Cook of Arlington, TX, Chandea Allen of Grand 0, TX; three brothers, Charles Draper of st. Louis, MO, Henry Lee Draper of Chicago, IL and John D. Williams of Jackson, MS; three sisters-in-law, Willie Lue Watts, Ella Lue Washington and Dorothy Krisel; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Preceding her in death are four sisters, Wazzie Shanklin, Emma M.Draper and Dorothy Draper of Macon, MS and Carleen Draper of St. Louis, MO; five brothers, Lyvon Draper and Eddie W. Draper of St. Louis, MO, Alonzo Nig Draper, Jr. of Raccine, WI, James Earl Moore of Chicago, IL, Wash Draper of Washington State; one sister-in-law, Ruby O'Neal and two brothers-in-law, Willie Harlan, .Jr.. and Paul Harlan. Interment:Lake Charles Cemetery7775 St.Charles Rock RoadSt. Loiuis, MO 63114 .