Regina Maricelli Harper was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. Regina was born on December 29, 1941. She grew up in Merryville, LA where she lived the majority of her life. She passed from this life on November 29, 2020 at the age of 78, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy of love & selflessness toward others.

Regina received her undergraduate & Masters degrees from McNeese State University. She was a dedicated educator teaching both regular & special education, grades K-12.

Regina was a proud member of Kappa Kappa Iota, the oldest teacher’s sorority in the United States, organized in 1921 to share teaching ideas and social activities for women in the teaching profession. Kappa Kappa Iota was later nationalized & today is involved in many philanthropic endeavors as well as providing scholarships to support future teachers & continued education of its membership. She served on various committees and held many state offices including State President. Through Kappa, Regina made lifelong friends with whom she shared many travel adventures to state & national conventions.

Regina was known for her generosity and kindness. Her greatest joy was found in helping and providing for others. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Regina. She loved to spend time in the kitchen, cooking delicious meals for her family and others in the community. She loved gardening and was often seen working in her yard and the yards of her family & friends. She was always up for an adventure. traveling across the United States and abroad to places such as Germany, France, Thailand, China.

But, most of all, Regina enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many playdates, overnight sleepovers, and summer vacations were spent with these special people in her life.

Regina is survived by her husband, Billie Joe Harper, her daughter, Donna Rigsby (Dink Rigsby), three grandchildren, Gina Copeland (Brian Copeland), Faith Rick (Daniel Rick), Taylor Rigsby, and five great-grandchildren, Evangeline Rick, Madison Copeland, Olivia Rigsby, Penelope Rigsby, Harper Rick.

A celebration of Regina’s life will be held Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Calvary Baptist Church, 424 LA-111, Merryville. Burial will follow at Cannon cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00-12:00 with “social distancing” practices in place. 🙂 After a brief intermission for the family, the service will follow at 12:30. Flowers may be sent to the church.

In the end, the greatest desire of Regina’s heart was that her five great granddaughters would come to know Jesus. Two of her great granddaughters, Olivia & Penelope, attend school at Cornerstone Christian Academy where their vision is to help their scholars develop into ambassadors for Christ. Those who would like to make a monetary donation in lieu of flowers, may do so with a pay by phone payment or by mail in her memory to:

Cornerstone Christian Academy

1104 Porter St

Deridder, La 70634

337-463-7823