Shelia Jane McMinn Harper passed away Saturday afternoon, July 13, 2024. She is survived by her daughter Kelly Dotson Roberts and son-in-law Charles “David” Roberts. Shelia was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Henry Mitchell McMinn and Julia Jane McCrary McMinn, her husband, Ivey Gilbert Harper, Jr. and special loving friend, Wayne Webster Bastedo.

Shelia was a kind, loving, and compassionate lady who had a tremendous love and care for animals and the elderly. She enjoyed caring for her rescue dogs and volunteering at the Sammy Williams Center, where she was also a member.
Her cousin Thomas reminised,

As a young teenager she enjoyed the teen music of her time and planned parties in her father’s garage. Twisted crepe paper and streamers staged the party. Forty-Five RPM records of the day blared record-player rhythms that begged a teenage celebratory rejuvenation, a kind of rural semi-structured dance, e.g. Grease.

Planning the event was a huge part of the fun for Shelia, always finding opportunities to bring people together. Laughter, snacks and delight filled the space, and her friends delighted in the evening of joy.

This joy of entertaining lived on into adulthood, where she continued the love of singing, dancing, decorating, arranging flowers, cooking and planning family reunions. Shelia graduated from East Henderson High School in 1962. After graduation she attended Mars Hill College and later transferred to Western Carolina University, where she graduated with a teaching degree in Home Economics.

Her teaching career began with Mecklenburg County Public Schools in Charlotte, N.C. where she taught eighth grade math and science. In the mid 1970’s early 1980’s she continued her career, teaching Home Economics and Career Exploration for Henderson County Public Schools. Her students at Edneyville High School and Flat Rock Junior High knew her as Mrs. Dotson.

During the summer months when school was not in session, she taught cake decorating at Blue Ridge Community College, worked as an interior decorator for Sherwin Williams while also obtaining her N.C. Real Estate Salesman / Broker license to work part-time as an agent.

In her later years Shelia was an active member of the Red Hat Society. She also organized a group of seniors called The Entertainers, who performed holiday skits written and directed by Shelia. She was very creative and a gifted seamstress. These talents were showcased by all the sets, props and costumes she designed and made for each show. For many years The Entertainers brought smiles, joy and laughter to the members of the Sammy Williams Center for Seniors.