Helen Woodard Harper

Helen Woodard Harper, 78, of Dublin, passed away on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Helen was born in Dublin and has lived in Laurens County her entire life.  She graduated from Laurens High School in Rentz and continued her education by completing continuing education at the University of Georgia. Helen has been a member of Marie Baptist Church for the past 43 years. 

Helen served as the Judge of the Laurens County Probate Court for 40 years. Prior to this, she served for 13 years as Chief Clerk of the Probate Court. Helen spent over 53 years serving the citizens of Laurens County in this office. During her career, she served as President of the Probate Judges Council of Georgia, President of the Georgia Election Officials Association, and President of the County Officers Association of Georgia.  Helen retired in December 2020 and has enjoyed being an active member in civic organizations as well as playing canasta with numerous friends as much as possible.

Always an active member in her community, Helen served on numerous boards and charities in various positions over the years including President of the Dublin Rotary Club, Rotary Club Assistance Governor District 6920, President of the Pilot Club of Dublin, Director of the Dublin Country Club, Chairperson of Dublin Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Heart of Georgia Technical College Foundation Board, and Board Member and Graduate of Leadership Dublin-Laurens County of which she was also a charter member. In 2019, she was bestowed the honor of receiving the Dublin Laurens Chamber Community Choice Award.

Helen also worked diligently over the years with the Saint Patrick Festival.  Helen served as past Chairperson of Dublin Laurens County St. Patrick’s Festival Committee in 1994. She also served as Chairperson for the Saint Patrick’s Awards Banquet and the Saint Patrick’s Arts and Craft Festival for several years. She was a past President of the order of the Blarney Stone and served in many other positions for the festival.  She received several awards for her work with the festival including past St. Patrick’s Festival Woman of the Year, Honorary Leprechaun, and the Amy Cannon Spirit of the Festival Award. 

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, James (Jim) Neal Harper; father,James Ira Woodard; mother,  Addie Bell Dixon Woodard, and brothers, Kent Woodard and Leroy Woodard.

Survivors include her sons: Neal A. Baggett of Dublin, Ga. and Jeffery G. Baggett of Fort Lauderdale, Fl; brother, James M. Woodard (Barbara) of Dublin, Ga.; sister-in-law, Jewel Woodard of East Dublin, Ga.; special niece and caregiver, Kristin Daniel of Dexter Ga., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Marie Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Rentz. Rev Bobby Hutto and Mr. Allen Thomas will officiate.

There will be no formal visitation but the family may be contacted at the Harper residence.

Pallbearers will be: Terry Woodard, Fred McLean, Josh Daniel, Bryan Rogers, Roger Folsom, and Phil Best.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Council of Probate Court Judges.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a local charity in your community.

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