Betty Harper was born on May 14, 1943 to Willie and Maurice Pettis in Thomasville, GA. 

She attended the historic Douglass Middle & High School. Later in life Ms Harper attended Walton and Thomas Technical Schools. She went on to receive an associate degree from Birdwood College now known as Thomas University. Ms Harper’s professional history includes being the first black bank employee at Thomas Federal, savings and loan bank and the first secretary at the Georgia Department of labor.

Ms Harper was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church. As a member of the Music ministry, she participated in the recordings with the Georgia mass choir and a former Sunday school teacher She was also a member of the Mother’s‘s Board and Social Justice Director. 

Ms Harper has participated in many community roles, including, but not limited to the following: Member of the Thomas County branch NAACP, Social Justice Committee, Community Coordinator, Prison Support Coordinator, and Social Justice Coordinator for The Congress of Christian Education.

Betty M Pettis Harper the eldest of seven children. Willie James Pettis, Clara Hunter, Jeremiah Pettis, DeAnn Brown, Micheal Pettis, and Mariah Jones.

Mother Harper was a proud mother to Sidney J Harper (Tammy), Perry Harper ( Deborah) Wayne Harper-deceased ( Melody), Robbie Harper and Sharsha Harper Foster.

She has ten grandchildren. Robert Harper, Sabrina R Jackson, Carly Harper, Titus Harper, Bobby Harper, Jeremy, Tracey Foster, Jeremiah Foster, Jaleel Harper, and Khalil Harper. 

Ms Harper was proceeded in death by her parents, Willie and Maurice Pettis and her Son Wayne Iver Harper.