Otis Harper, 78 of Covington, passed away Friday, June 26, 2015 at Abbey Hospice. Mr. Harper was born in Rutledge, Georgia to the late Archie Frank and Annie Knight Harper. Mr. Harper has lived in the Covington area since 1975 and was a member of Solid Rock Baptist Church for over 20 years. He proudly served our country for over 20 years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War doing a tour in Thailand. After retiring from the Air Force he served in the Newton County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years. Mr. Harper loved the outdoors, collecting knives, working on old cars and building things. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son Barry Keith Harper and his brother Ralph Harper.

He is survived by his loving wife Sandra Harper of Covington.; daughters Beverly (David) Grattenthaler of Roswell, Georgia., Vivian (Oliver) Ramsey of Covington and Marsha Kay Forrester of Covington; son Otis Wayne (Belinda) Harper of Conyers; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister Sara Nell of Abilene, Texas., brothers William (Joyce) Harper of Oxford, Georgia., Richard (Sheila) Harper of Snellville, Jimmy Harper of Covington, Archie Frank (Louise) Harper Jr. of Conyers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Harper will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Solid Rock Baptist Church with Pastors Mike Franklin and Darrell Allen officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, June 29, 2015 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Make-A- Wish Foundaton, 4742 N. 24th Street, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ. 85016-4862, or at Wish.org. Guests may sign the online register at wheelerfuneralhome.com. Wheeler Funeral Home and Crematory 11405 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington, GA. 770-786-7111.