Hannah Valeria "Val" Harp

In Celebration and Loving Memory of Hannah Valeria (Val) Harp November 17, 1935 – April 7, 2024

Hannah Valeria “Val” Harp, age 88, passed away with family at her side April 7th, 2024 at Transitions LifeCare.   Born on November 17, 1935, in rural Durham County on a beautiful country farm to Hannah Valeria Little and Walter James Little, Sr.  Born the third child out of seven children in the “Little Family” she was lovingly named after her mother. After her mother’s death Val became the Matriarch or the glue that held her family together.

Preceded in death by her sisters, Laura Chappell (Apex) and Elva Cliborne (Richmond, VA); brother, Gerald Little (Atlantic Beach); and half-brother Walter Little Jr. (Durham). She is survived by daughter, Donna Huckabee (David) of Charlotte; sisters, Georgie Kovaleski of Raleigh, Lois Dills (Mike) of Louisburg; brother, Randall Little of Durham (dear family friend Marie Williams of Cary) and a host of wonderful nieces and nephews on both the “Little” and “Harp” side of the families.

 Val graduated from Bethesda high school in Durham and married her late, devoted husband, Frank Harp in 1953. They were married for almost 54 wonderful years with his passing in 2007. The union of their marriage blessed her with another large family having nine children, the “Harp Family.” She was the last one of the senior Harps.

After their marriage, Frank’s parents Oma and Grover Harp came to live with them, and thou no easy task working and raising a small daughter, Val and Frank cared for his parents. Val was also very instrumental in the care of her own Mother.  Val and Frank were always present to help out in times of hardship and need and visited loved ones who were sick or in nursing homes. They were members for many years of Creedmoor Road Baptist Church in Raleigh. In later years when she was able, Val attended Grace Fellowship Church of God in Youngsville, Pastor Rodney Harp (retired 2023).

Val worked in the administrative department for the NC Employment Security Commission and after retiring from the state with 30 years of service, she went to work part time at Fallon’s Florist and held other various part time positions while waiting for her husband to retire from the Post Office.

Val and Frank loved their yard work - mowing, trimming, digging out bushes, planting flowers.  She “thrived” on being out in the yard. A wonderful seamstress, Val made her daughter’s prom dresses, intricate Barbie Doll out fits, everyday clothing, matching Mother/Daughter Easter outfits when her daughter was small. Val and Frank enjoyed refinishing old furniture to restore back to original state (chairs, trunks, and tables to name a few.)  She took up decorative floral painting on furniture, jewelry boxes and various items. If it was not nailed down, she painted it and brought it back to new life with pretty floral patterns.  An avid walker. Those who knew her well, regarded her as a “real Elvis Fan”. Val adored her little dog “Frankie Angel” who she lovingly named after her late husband and called “Angel.”

After nearly 55 years living in her home (15 years alone) in 2022 she moved to Sunrise at North Hills Assisted Living.  Where she made new friends and continued caring for others less fortunate by pushing them in wheelchairs and helping cut up their food.

The family wants to thank the Staff and the friends at Sunrise at North Hills where she resided for the past two years for the care and love given to her. Also to thank the staff, nurses, social worker and Chaplains (Liz and Barbara) at Hospice Transitions LifeCare for the support and care they showed her and family during the final days.

In lieu of flowers: Memorial Contributions for Val Harp may be made to Grace Fellowship Church of God- 8005 Harp’s Lane, Wake Forest, NC 27587 (919) 757-4241 --- or to Hospice Transitions LifeCare - 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 (919)828-0890.

A funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of Bright Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m. 

Entombment for Val's final resting place will immediately follow in the Mausoleum of Pine Forest Memorial Gardens. (770 Stadium Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587).

Bright Funeral Home (405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587)

Arrangements in the care of Bright Funeral Home. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.