Virginia Ann Harp, 89, of Paris, passed away Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, at Heritage House of Paris.
Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29 th at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Rev. Diana Russell officiating. Burial will be made in Blanton Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Mrs. Harp, the daughter of Elmer Odell Thedford and Lillie Mae Betts Thedford, was born Oct. 17, 1936, in Cass County, TX.
In 1957 and 1958 she was a hostess on Continental Trailways buses. Her career with Westinghouse spanned 31 years before her retirement. She and her husband, Rufus, owned and operated Ma and Pa’s Antiques in Paris for a number of years. Virginia volunteered with the auxiliary at the hospital; was a member of the Red Hat Club, Primetime and the Team Play 42 Club. Virginia was saved at the age of 14 and baptized in a pond that was in a pasture behind the home of her dearest friend, Margie. She was a member of the Methodist Church.
In 1958, she married Robert Steed, and he preceded her in death in 1968. On March 24, 1972, she married Rufus Harp building 22 years of memories before his death on Aug. 2, 1994. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a son-in-law, Konrad Taylor, a sister, Mary Heldt, and her longtime special friend, Margie Partain of Linden.
Survivors include seven children, Donna Taylor of Paris, Jimmy Steed and wife Elizabeth of Powderly, Gina Motteram and husband David of Rowlett, Ronnie Harp and wife Michelle of English, Howard “Chief” Harp and wife Angie of DeKalb, Vernon Harp of Bagwell, and Jack Steed and wife Catana of Powderly, 17 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
Virginia was not only a Master 42 Player; she was a “Master Grandmother and Great Grandmother”. She attended as many events as possible when it came to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. This meant traveling thousands of miles to ball games and band competitions.
Casket bearers will be: Steven McIntire, James Mazy, Darrell Kullangle, Bobby Garrison, Duane Sellers, and Terry Bull.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
