UTICA — Cleveland Harper Sr. died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at Hospice Ministries in Jackson. He was 73.

Mr. Harper was retired from U.S. Rubber and was a member of Rohelia M.B. Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Alberta Harper; and a brother, Frank Harper.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy R. Harper of Utica; three sons, Cleveland Harper Jr. of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Ricky Dixon of Jackson and Perry Dixon of Gautier; five daughters, Shirley Pettway of Mobile, Gloria Griffin of Edwards, Clara Dixon of Jackson, Frances Redfield of Vicksburg and Bonita Lofton of Utica; three brothers, James Harper and the Rev. Charles Harper, both of Utica, and Willie Harper of Robbins, Ill.; five sisters, Julia Hunter, Beatrice Harper and Rutha Harper, all of Utica, Barbara Smith of Bolton and Mary Harper of Markham, Ill.; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Rohelia M.B. Church in Utica with the Rev. Earl Thompson Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Friday at Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home.