Dorothy Porter Harper, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and gracious Southern Lady, passed in to Glory on April 12, 2026, after a short illness at 98 years young.

She was born in the village of Taylor’s Creek, Georgia where she and her family lived until it became what is now Ft. Stewart. Her family moved to Hinesville, Georgia in 1940.  She graduated from Bradwell Institute and then attended Andrew College. While at Andrew, she was the class president one year and voted “Miss Personality” another year.

After graduation she returned to Hinesville and taught at the elementary school there. Early one summer she met the love of her life, William Cash Harper, while he was attending forestry camp. They married that same summer and began their married life in Athens, GA where their daughter Penny was born. They were devoted to each other and married over 62 years.

During their married life, Dot and Bill lived primarily in Statesboro where they were charter members of Pittman Park United Methodist Church, Macon and Savannah. In each place, they made faith and church the foundation of their life together. At the time of her passing, she was a member of Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, the Alpha/Fellowship Sunday School Class, and the Courtney Gaines Circle.  Everywhere Dot lived, she was active in many different groups and organizations but at her core, she was a homemaker. She supported Bill and Penny in their many endeavors and made their home a welcoming place for friends and family. She loved to entertain and was a great cook. She was especially known for her caramel cakes! Dot loved to eat at Miss Sophie’s, Crystal Beer Parlor, and Sunrise on Chatham Parkway.  Those were her Cheers spots, where everybody knew her name.

Dot is preceded in death by her parents, Sybil (Allsup) and Herbert Porter, her husband William Cash Harper, her sister Carolyn Porter Ryon (Bob) and her nephews, Bobby Ryon, John Laws Jr (Verda), R.R. (Poogie) Laws, and Buzz Harper.

She is survived by her daughter Penny as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She loved her family and was so excited when her great, great, great niece Searcy was born.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel.

The Funeral Service to honor her life will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 2016, at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel.

Burial will be at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Hinesville Cemetery, Hinesville, GA.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital, 5th floor south, for their wonderful care and support during her time there.

The family requests memorials be sent to Wesley Monumental UMC, 429 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401, The Fresh Air Home, P.O. Box 14144, Savannah, GA 31416, or a charity of your choice.