Harriet was born in Alachua, Florida on November 21, 1930 and passed from this life on July 27, 2018 after a six-year battle with dementia.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Louise Palmer Copeland (Valdosta, GA); her mother-in-law Loree Jordan Kilpatrick Gouger (Dallas, TX); and her husband of 50 years, James M. (Jim) Kilpatrick.  She is survived by her children David (Carolyn) Kilpatrick of Valley View, TX; Jerry Kilpatrick of Houston, TX; Janice (Kevin) McKisson of League City, TX; and Mindy (Shawn) Clark of Smyrna, TN; and her grandchildren Katie Clark, Megan McKisson, Amy McKisson,  Jessica Clark, Chrissy Kilpatrick, James Matthew McKisson, John Kilpatrick, Gavin Clark, Thomas Kilpatrick, and Andrew Kilpatrick.

Harriet graduated from Alachua High School, Florida Christian College, and David Lipscomb University (B.A., Elementary Education).  Harriet met Jim at the Alexandria Church of Christ in the early 1950’s.  She introduced herself to Jim, who replied, “I know who you are, Harriet.  I’ve been waiting to meet you.”  She and Jim lived in Hobbs and Farmington, NM, raised their children in Alexandria, VA, and retired to Smyrna, TN.  Following Jim’s death, Harriet moved to Houston, TX to live with her son, Jerry, and be near her daughter Janice’s family.

Harriet taught public school, served as a volunteer for her children’s activities, served as a teacher and nurse at Camp WaMaVa (Front Royal, VA), taught children’s and ladies’ Bible classes, and supported her husband, Jim, in his roles as deacon and elder at the Alexandria Church of Christ.  She also served as a caregiver for her mother-in-law for ten years and helped her siblings care for her own mother.

Harriet found much joy in life, gave away many encouraging smiles, cried with friends who were going through difficult times, shared the Bible with as many as she could, cooked huge amounts of food for weekly Sunday lunch guests, cleaned houses and grocery shopped for invalid friends, offered sympathy and counsel for the hurting, and deeply cherished her husband, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, in-laws and her huge Palmer, Copeland and Kilpatrick extended families.  Even throughout her struggle with dementia, Harriet never lost her strong, sweet spirit.  Harriet loved the Lord with all her heart, served alongside fellow Christians in His Church, and lived faithfully for Him until He brought her home.

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.  Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”  (Proverbs 31: 28-30)

 

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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harriet’s name to:

African Schools Foundation ** P.O. Box 41120 ** Nashville, TN 37204