Joyce “Ma” Harper, 70, of Lafayette, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at University Medical Center in Lebanon, Tennessee. The Clay County, Tennessee native was born Wednesday, August 21, 1935, a daughter of the late James William Hatcher and Clara Viola Browning Hatcher. She was a graduate of Hermitage Springs High School, a member of Lafayette Church of Christ, a retired dispatcher for the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, and wife of the late James “Dude” Harper.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Larry Sawyer, Lebanon, TN; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Tammy Bean, Lafayette, TN; a sister and brother-in-law, Polly and Cleston Bean, Madison, TN; 7 grandchildren, Chris Sawyer, Felicia Sawyer, Andrea Sawyer, Tara Bean, Derek Bean, Theresa Taylor, and Jamie Bean; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Joyce “Ma” Harper were conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Alexander-Goad Funeral Home with Terry Gillim officiating. Burial was in Anderson Memorial Park. Pallbearers were members of the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, Capt. Darrell Taylor, Sgt. Kimball Hall, Sgt. Danny Gross, Sgt. Benny Hudgens, Det. Larry West, and Det. Mark Bartley. Honorary pallbearers were additional members of the Macon County Sheriff’s Department.

Alexander-Goad Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN in charge of arrangements.