Geraldine (Harp) Morgan

Geraldine Harp Morgan

Geraldine Harp Morgan, the eldest child of Charlie Louis and Mattie Bess Lott Harp, was born February 21, 1951 in Saluda (Hollywood Community), South Carolina. She peacefully transitioned from this life into eternal rest, Monday, February 22, 2021 at her home.

At age 5, Geraldine entered Riverside Elementary School and 12 year later, she graduated from Riverside High School Class of 1968.  In June 1968, Geraldine entered Piedmont Technical College and graduated in August, 1969.  In September 1969, Geraldine entered the workforce as a Federal Employee at Fort Jackson, SC, where she held a variety of positions, retiring in December 2007 with approximate 40 years of services as a Contract Administrator.  While in the Contracting Office, Geraldine attended many classes at the Defense Acquisition University, Allen University and Midland Technical College, achieving Level II in Contracting. 

While at Piedmont Technical College, Geraldine met her life partner, James Morgan.  In an unusual move for Geraldine, they waited until finishing college and James completed his tour of duty and married in October 1972 and they have been married for over 48 years.  And to this union two children were born, James III and Germaine Morgan.   These were the loves of her life and her absolutely best accomplishments. 

While many would be content with all of these accomplishments, Geraldine was not.  She always viewed her life through the lens of history, family and religion and in doing so, engaged in a number of interesting and substantive activities.  Continuing in the tradition her Grandmother Sarah, her Mother Mattie Bess and her Aunt Emma Coleman, she was a proud member of the Woman’s Home Aid Society – one of the oldest black women’s organizations in the country, dating back to the 1800’s - serving as President of Lodge #40 and holding various positions, to include Recording Secretary and Board Member. 

At an early age, she joined Pine Pleasant CME church and participated in various organizations, from Sunday School to Holiday Programs, choirs and conferences.  She also attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on a regular basis.  Upon moving to Columbia (and marriage), she joined Pine Grove AME Church.  At Pine Grove, she held Positions as Class leader, Trustee (secretary), President of the Usher Board, Chairperson of the Missions & Welfare Committee, and the Culinary Committee.  She worked on the Church’s directory, The Christmas decoration and Christmas Card Committee, The Annual Conference Committee and various other auxiliaries and committees. 

Geraldine was a dedicated and active member of the community where she lived.  She was a member the Board of the Piney Grove Community of Alliance, holding the position as secretary. She assisted with the annual Black History Program, fundraisers and back-to- school bashes. 

Her love of history and family compelled her to organize, coordinate and plan several family reunions on the Harp and Clark Families.  Living a life of excellence, she not only organized and planned these events, she researched family history and published a comprehensive family history of the children of Will and Sarah Harp.  With her passion and leadership skills, she often organized and completed the clerical and mundane tasks necessary to bring over 400 members to Saluda, Columbia and at least 200 members to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  She assisted with organizing a family cruise.  To so many, the quest for family history begins and ends with family festivities, but Geraldine was always searching to understand more about her Lotts, Harps, Clarks, and Stephens’ heritage. She spent time doing genealogy research or going on day trips, just to find out about her heritage - she enjoyed maintaining contact with family members from near and far, mostly by Facebook. 

Geraldine loved traveling, discovering new places and adventures.  She and James, often with friends Oscar and Ella or with her children, James and Germaine, cruised through the Bahamas, Hawaii (to include touring and visiting Pearl Harbor, and cruising all other Hawaiian’s Islands) Virgin Islands (St Maartin, St Thomas, St John), and Alaska (with ports of call in 7 cities).  She traveled outside the states to Great Britain (cruising under the London’s bridge and toured the grounds of Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace).  She was blessed to experience the Chunnel Tunnel – a delightful undersea train ride from Southern England to Northern France.  After arriving in Paris, she toured the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and The Black History Tour of Paris. She travelled on to Italy where we toured the Colosseum and explored its rich history and Italian food.  With multiple buddies or on their own, Geraldine and James many road trips, exploring at least 48 states.  They visited almost all major National Parks to include The Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park.  A student of history, you could not keep her away from the Obama inauguration. Always talking, always meeting new friends, Geraldine enjoyed talking to people along the way but most importantly traveling with her husband and traveling buddies, Oscar and Ella Davis.  She thanks you both for many great times and memories.  

How she found time for hobbies amazes us all, as she took on the responsibility of caring for her aunts and uncles in their senior years.  She was the primary contact and the overseer of the care of her Aunt Fannie.  She also supported her Uncle Johnnie and Aunt Bennie in their quest to remain independent, helping him with his finances and ensuring went to his medical appointments.  And, she endeavored to care for her late aunt, Lizzie Caldwell. 

Hobbies are going to church and church activities, reading and visiting with people, never meeting a stranger. She loved watching games shows on TV, Hallmark and Lifetimes Movies.  She loved football, College and NFL, but most of all playing games (Candy Crush) on her cellphone. 

In addition to her husband, James Junior (48 years of Marriage) and her children, James III and Germaine, Geraldine leaves her siblings, Susie (Eddie) Mitchell, Charlie (Beverly) Harp and Reginald (LaShawn) Harp to mourn her loss and preceded in death David Brown.  She also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Jada Morgan of Charlotte, NC and Cayla Morgan of Durham, NC.  And, she leaves her Aunts Fannie Carson, Columbia, SC, Mamie Lott and Lougena Lott both of Saluda, South Carolina; Uncles Johnnie (Bennie) Harp of Columbia, SC and Benjamin (Nita) Lott of Hartford, Connecticut.  Others left to mourn her loss include her nieces Ericka (Sheldon) Gold of Greenwood, SC, Kendall and Rhyan Harp of Columbia, SC; nephews, Christopher (Keeshia) Goddard, Columbia, SC, Terrell Harp of Saluda, SC, Terrence Harp and son Michael Lennox Harp of Newberry, SC,  Sheldon Gold Jr. of Greenwood, SC and Bryson and Trent Brown of Batesburg, SC.  She also leaves a special childhood friend Genell Attaway of Houston, Texas.  Other mourning her loss include a host of very close cousins, great friends and relatives.  She wanted included and mentioned her unforgettable Piney Grove AME Church family, to include her special members of the Usher Board, members of Class #2 and her Wednesdays Noonday Prayer Group. 

For all those who prayed for her, she wanted you acknowledged with special thanks Mary and Gerald Brown, and to the Progressive Church of Saluda, SC and Elder Henry (Carrie) Watson.  

PLEASE KEEP THIS FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS AS THEY GO THROUGH THE LOST THEIR LOVED. THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS.

PLEASE WEAR A MASK OR FACE COVERING AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING WHEN VISITING AND ATTENDING THE SERVICES.

The Morgan family would like to thank you for all of the thoughts, words, prayers, phone calls and other acts of kindness shared with us during Geraldine’s illness and our bereavement. We will forever keep you in our thoughts and prayers. For those who would like to make a gift, please make donations to Pine Grove A.M.E. Church in honor of Geraldine Morgan, Head Usher.  Mailed to:

Pine Grove AME Church, 

120 Steward Drive

Columbia, SC 29210

BUTLER AND SONS FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE FAMILY.      

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