Claire Winona Harper

Claire W Harper age 80, formerly of Englewood, TN died early Saturday morning, February 1, 2025, at UT Medical Center after suffering through several long lingering illnesses. She was also being cared for at the time of her death by her husband, Melvin, and their son, Jason. Claire is also survived by their special needs son, Nathan, her granchildren Katelyn and Colby, cousin Winona Kennedy Pless, forever friend Evelyn Jenkins McMillian, both of Athens, TN, and several cousins from far and near. Claire was the only child of Clarence Fosteen and Winona Martin Harris of Englewood, TN and was born on October 26, 1944, in Athens, TN who predeceased her. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Englewood. Claire attended U.T. Knoxville where she was a member of Delta Gamma, The U.T. Singers and Professor Ambrous Holford’s CE. She toured Europe with the “Singers” in the summer of 1963, in addition to her music. Claire loved spending time at her family’s Watts Bar Lake cabin home swimming, sunbathing and water skiing. Claire and Melvin L. Harper of Lupton City, TN married on November 29, 1963 and lived in Huntsville, AL for a short period. They returned to Knoxville for Melvin to attend the U.T. College of Law (Class of 1967) in January of 1965. She was employed by the former Hamilton National Bank for several years at its South Knoxville Branch as secretary and later as Head Teller. She left the work force in December 1972 to care for her son Nathan.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 5, 2025 in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 7:00 PM. 

Those unable to attend may leave condolences for the family at https://www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/claire-harper

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.