Ophie Harper Ryburn

Ophie Harper Ryburn, 95, of Pine Bluff, died Saturday, June 4th at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born December 31, 1915 in Cleveland County, Arkansas to Daniel Govan Harper and Irene Vinson Harper.

Mrs. Ryburn was reared in Pansy, Arkansas and attended Woodlawn Schools. She married John Wharton Ryburn, Jr. (J.W.) in 1934. Together they taught at Rose Hill School, a one-room school in Cleveland County. Mrs. Ryburns former students returned to visit with her often, and she was honored at a Rose Hill Reunion when she was in her 80s. Former students continued to visit her in the Greenhouse Cottages in Rison where she spent her final year. When Mrs. Ryburn moved to Pine Bluff, she became active in her daughters school, Lakeside Elementary, and an unofficial caretaker for many older relatives for the rest of her life. In her later years she loved to visit her daughter in New York City, bringing friends and relatives with her to share the New York experience.

Mrs. Ryburn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; three brothers, Oscar Harper, Cleet Harper, and Harvey Harper; four sisters, Ruby Gavin, Elma Owens, Vera Pennington, and Era Hoover; and numerous friends.

Survivors include her daughter, Dr. Nancy Ryburn, of Pine Bluff and several important unofficial family members including Barbara Samuels and her long-time caregiver, Margaret Allen. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Dr. Harry Ryburn of Pine Bluff; Carolyn Clark of Pansy, and Ann Delaney Ryburn of Pine Bluff, whose patient and loving care throughout the last year of her life was a positive, wonderful blessing.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at Fuller Funeral Home in Pine Bluff, with the Reverend Dr. Walter Van Zandt Windsor of Trinity Episcopal Church and the Reverend Dr. Cheryl Clark of Grace Episcopal Church officiating. Interment will follow at Friendship Cemetery near Woodlawn. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Fuller Funeral Home in Pine Bluff. Memorials may be made to the James and Maude Ryburn Scholarship Fund, SEARK College, 1900 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603, to Grace or Trinity Episcopal Churches in Pine Bluff, or Prosperity Methodist in Pansy, Arkansas. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison. (870) 325-6216.