Vanessa Harper

Vanessa Beasley Harper, 66, of Metter, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Candler County Hospital.

Born on March 22, 1960, Vanessa was the daughter of Franklin Wright Beasley and Martha Wells Wiggins. A lifelong resident of Metter, she loved her hometown and the people in it. She graduated from Metter High School in 1978 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University. For more than 30 years, she devoted her life to teaching middle school English in Metter.

Teaching was never just a job to Vanessa—it was her calling. Known to generations of students as Mrs. Harper, she poured her heart into every student who walked through her classroom door. She loved helping young people learn, grow, and believe in themselves, and generations of students loved her right back. Many can still picture her walking the hallways with her famous Hadden Insurance ruler in hand, tapping it along as she made her rounds and cheerfully announcing, “I need some caffeine in my cup!” Her sense of humor, contagious laugh, and larger-than-life personality brought joy to everyone around her.

Vanessa never met a stranger. To her family, lifelong friends, and much of the Metter community, she was simply “Nesser.” She had a servant’s heart and a gift for making people feel loved. She cared deeply for others, often putting their needs before her own. Whether she was baking treats for friends and family, writing heartfelt handwritten letters, checking on someone who needed encouragement, or simply sharing a conversation and a laugh, she made people feel special. She loved generously, laughed often, and lived life with a full heart.

A longtime member of Cedar Street Baptist Church, Vanessa’s faith guided her life and shaped the way she loved others. Family meant everything to her. She was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend whose greatest joy was spending time with the people she loved. Her grandchildren were especially precious to her, and she treasured every moment spent making memories with them.

Vanessa was preceded in death by her father, Franklin Wright Beasley, and her brother, Frankie Beasley.

She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish her memory: her sons, Gavin Shane Harper of Metter and Joseph Dillon Harper and his wife of Metter; her mother, Martha Wells Wiggins; her sisters, Diane Hadden, Patricia Johnson, and Gwen Patterson, all of Metter; her beloved grandchildren, Alyssa, Audrey, Ava, and Isabella; along with several nieces, nephews, extended family members, former students, and countless friends whose lives were touched by her kindness and love.

Though her family grieves her loss, they find comfort in knowing that her legacy of faith, laughter, generosity, and unconditional love will live on in the many lives she touched. To know Vanessa was to be loved by her, and her memory will remain a blessing to all who had the privilege of calling her family, friend, teacher, or “Mrs. Harper.”

The memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Cedar Street Baptist Church, with Rev. Bo Fulginiti officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. at the church on Sunday.

Guestbook: www.kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter is in charge of the arrangements.