Belinda Downs Harper

Belinda Gay (Downs) Harper of Velvet Ridge was born on August 19, 1965 to Clifton and Charlene (Smith) Downs in Leslie, Arkansas. She met her Saviour on March 7, 2012. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Hope Busby; father-in-law, James Harper and grandparents, Francis and Mae Smith and John and Lola Downs. She is survived by her husband, Raymond Harper; daughter, Stephanie (Harper) Busby and husband Leonard of Floral; son, Dustin and wife Logan of Velvet Ridge; 3 granddaughters, Faith, Abby and Lynlee; parents, Clifton and Charlene Downs of Highland Court in Marshall, Arkansas; mother-in-law, Connie Harper of Bald Knob; 2 brothers, Doyle (Glenda) Downs of Bald Knob and Larry (Lawayne) Downs of Nixa, Missouri; 2 sisters, Brenda (Jon) Maniccia of Thorndale, Texas and Sandra (Jackie) Smithson of Marshall; 2 brothers-in-law, Jimmy Harper of Michigan and Terry Joe Harper of Bald Knob and a multitude of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, family and friends. There are not enough words or hours in the universe to describe the impact that Belinda had on everyone she met and on those that never had an opportunity to meet her personally. She had that loving, gorgeous smile and infectious laugh that would cheer up the most broken hearted. And if that wasn't enough, God blessed her with the most angelic voice that could ever be heard. However, it was not just another beautiful voice that could belt out any song she was given, but it was with the Spirit of God that flowed through each word and note, that ensured that everyone within the sound of her voice would experience the love of God that she shared. SHE NOT ONLY SANG THE SONG, BUT SHE WALKED THE WALK AND TALKED THE TALK OF HER SAVIOUR! Belinda never stopped working for God. Throughout her battle with cancer and numerous hospital stays, she was prying for people and being the ultimate witness for God. There were numerous accounts of people that were touched by the Spirit of God that was revealed in her and through her, even in her time of suffering. Most of all, there were reports given to her about how people had given their hearts to God because of her faithfulness. Her reply was always that her suffering had been worth it. That is being a true light of God! No matter the time of day, or how great the pain became, Belinda could be heard calling on the name of Jesus, knowing and understanding that God was her source of strength! She let everyone know that no matter what the future would hold for her… GOD IS FAITHFUL! That was the point she wanted to stress. And one of her many last responses was just to say, "All is well!" It can be truly said of this amazing daughter, wife, mother, sister, friend, and minister of the Gospel, that like Paul, she fought a good fight and she kept the faith! What a living legacy she has left behind! Next to God, Belinda's family was her source of happiness and strength. Her husband Ray, the love of her life, was her constant friend and companion. Both were blessed of God and He knew what He was doing when he put them together. Ray became not only her helpmate, but her encourager, supporter, comforter and spiritual companion, as she became the same for him. Together they spent many hours sharing their ministry and love for God with not only the youth of their church, but also with other friends and family. Together they built a Christian home of faith and love to which they added two children. God gave them a beautiful daughter, Stephanie. Stephanie inherited her mother's greatest strengths and attributes and became one of her mother's closest and consistent prayer warriors. Belinda had made the comment that she had woke up several times in the hospital with Stephanie's hand on her and had heard her daughter touch the Throne of Grace in her behalf. Stephanie soon had to share her parents with her little brother Dustin, who only added more joy to his parent's hearts. Even though Dustin became Ray's "little mini me," he was his mother's son, and the love of God that she instilled in him from an early age has brought him to the young man that she so loved and adored. The family continued to grow as Stephanie married Leonard, and Dustin married Logan, both of whom Belinda loved as her own. Belinda also had three small bundles of endless joy wrapped up in her granddaughters. They would light up her face and her spirit when they entered the room. To those beautiful girls, she was known as Nanny. Faith, the oldest, is the ultimate example of God's grace and wisdom and she firmly believes in the healing power of God and held on to that belief with her Nanny! Abby, the basketball star and artist, liked drawing pictures of the family to leave with Belinda so that she would never feel alone, and she would always tell her Nanny that she was praying for her. Then last, but not least, little Lynlee Bella, with such an innocent and loving face, always wanted to help Nanny with her boo boos by giving her a hug and crawling into bed with her. It can be truly said of this amazing daughter, wife, mother, sister, friend, and minister of the Gospel, that, like Paul, she fought the good fight, and she kept the faith! What a living legacy she has left behind! She will forever live in our hearts, minds and spirits. If there were ever and angel on earth, Belinda fit the unmatchable mold. The ministry that she shared with Clois and Dwight (Bubba) Cox, as a member of the Velvet Ridge Singers was one of her many avenues to share the message of salvation and of a God that is merciful, faithful and true. The message of the ministry that she loved and enjoyed so dearly will be living on in people's lives with many of continued... 1 2 Next ...continued the songs that she not only sang, such as "Safe Thus Far", "His Grace is Sufficient" and "Did I Mention That I Love Him"; but also in songs that were God given lyrics that she penned so well, such as, "Don't Be Afraid, I Hear the Master Say, I sit upon my throne looking down upon my own, I AM the Great I Am!" And most importantly, one of her last requests could be heard through the lyrics of a song written especially for her dad, Clifton Downs, so that everyone would someday hear, "Promise me, you'll meet me in heaven. Promise me, you wont give up the fight. Promise me, we'll walk hand in hand together, Promise me, you'll meet me in heaven." A promise that gave her peace and comfort throughout her journey. Her absence will leave such a tremendous void in so many lives that it will be almost impossible to bear in the days ahead, but she would expect everyone to put their faith in God as she did to complete the journey. If Belinda could be here to speak to everyone today, she would say, "Don't cry for me. I have made it. No more pain, no more tears I'll cry, just rejoicing around the throne." The greatest honor and tribute that we could give her is to follow her lead and strive to make heaven our home, as she has so faithfully done! Her robe and crown awaits as she shouts and sings down the streets of gold to join God's heavenly choir! Visitation will be Friday from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Services will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Velvet Ridge Church of God with Bro Doug Swindle and Bro. Dwayne Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Velvet Ridge Cemetery by Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob-Judsonia. www.powellfuneralhome.net. Previous 1 2

Belinda Downs Harper

August 19, 1965 - March 7, 2012