Ona Lee Harper, 88, of Owensboro, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026 with her family by her side. She was born on November 10, 1937 in Muhlenberg County to the late LeRoy and Edith Knight Whitaker. Ona found joy in simple pleasures — daily rummy games for more than 50 years, bunco nights, scratch-offs, fishing, a cigarette close at hand, and her favorite crime shows. She loved NASCAR and traveling to UK games, and she expressed her love through the flowers she made for the monuments of those she held dear. She was also a faithful giver to St. Jude’s, supporting its mission with a generous and compassionate heart. Her fiery personality will be missed by many, especially by Tom, her kids, and grandkids but her spirit, her memory, and her videos will be cherished by all.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Thomas L. Harper, and grandson, Chance Morrow.
Ona is survived by her husband, Tom; the two shared a devoted life together after dating for four years before marrying on July 2, 1958; son, Ricky Harper (Amy); two daughters, Lesia Harper and Lana Harper; grandchildren, Ashley Bailey, Kimberly Harper, Jasmyne Harper, Aleah Gabbard, Landon Harper (Brittany), and K’Lynn Morrow; great grandchildren, Lucas Shown, Emory Morrow, Kobe Peak, Ona Kamirrah Morrow, Almarriel Talbott, Cash Talbott, Evie Hagan, and Ava Harper.
Services will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation is from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2026 and after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Ona’s memory to Foust Elementary School, 601 Booth Avenue, Owensboro, KY 42301.