Mary Helen (Blotter) Harper, 90, a longtime resident of Springfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, in Nixa, Missouri, where she had resided for the past year.

Mary was born July 18, 1936, in Diamond, Missouri, to Alva “Frank” Blotter and Grace Evelyn (Ragan) Blotter. She was raised in Alba and graduated from Webb City High School.

Mary worked as an office manager, first in the insurance industry and later in the office of the president of Drury College in Springfield. She left that position when she moved to Australia.

In 1970, Mary married James “Pat” Harper in Springfield. During their 31 years of marriage, Mary and Pat shared a life that took them well beyond southwest Missouri. They lived for approximately two years in Dampier, Australia, and five years in Smyrna, Georgia, before returning to Springfield, which remained their longtime home. They were married until Pat’s death in May 2001.

Faith and church community were important parts of Mary’s life. She was a member of Glenstone Baptist Church in Springfield for approximately 30 years and, more recently, a member of Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church.

Mary enjoyed antiques and for a time maintained booths in antique shops, an interest that gave her an opportunity to pursue her appreciation for finding and collecting things from the past. She also gave her time as a hospice volunteer.

Above all, Mary took great pleasure in her family. She especially enjoyed following the lives of her grandchildren and, later, her great-grandchildren, and took pride in watching their lives unfold.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James “Pat” Harper; her son, Mark Burris; her parents, Frank and Grace Blotter; and her siblings Mabel Endicott, Roberta “Bertie” Coleman, and Alfred Blotter..

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Phelan; her son, Jim Harper and his wife, Michelle; her siblings Robert Blotter, Loyd Blotter, and Irene Surface; seven grandchildren, Jeremy, Timothy, Daniel, and Olivia Phelan, and Sarah Rose, Joanna, and Graham Harper; and seven great-grandchildren, Autumn, Jake, Jack, Colette, Michaux, Selah, and Shiloh Phelan.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, at Eastlawn Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Glenstone Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri, at https://glenstonebaptist.org/giving.