LELAND, MS – A musician with local roots passed away recently.
Elery Jack “County Jack” Harper, born in Murfreesboro on June 14, 1949, died August 17 in Leland, Mississippi.
Harper, a jack of all trades in the music world, was a musician, songwriter, singer, producer, as well as a founding member of the Back of the Bus Band. He also served as emcee for the Journey Down the Mississippi Country Music Trail.
Harper was the son of Elery Clyde and Birdie Fern Folsom Harper, and would go on to graduate from both Sheridan High School and Arkansas A&M, which is now the University of Arkansas Monticello.
A tribute to Harper will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 16 at the Cane Creek State Park in Star City. Anyone who would like to sing, play, or speak can be added to the list by calling Matt Watson at (870) 692-5441.
A memorial service for Harper will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 23 at Greenlee Memorial Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. While the family requests that no flower be sent, anyone interested in making a memorial in Harper’s honor should send the the Poyen Veterans Memorial Soaring Eagles Fund, P.O. Box 185, Poyen, AR 72128, or call (870) 525-2224 for more details.
