Mary Jane Cummins Harper of Humble, Texas, and formerly of Tylertown, Mississippi, died on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, just two days shy of her 99th birthday. Visitation will be at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tylertown on Thursday, January 9th at 10am. Reverends Tommy Conway, John Noone, and Alwin Sami will officiate a Mass at 11am. Burial will be in Tylertown Cemetery under the direction of Hartman Hughes Funeral Home.

Mary Jane was a member of the Franciscan Order since 1994. She sang with the Motorola Glee Club, Sweet Adelines, and at every church she attended, as well as for funerals and weddings. She performed in many stage show productions in the Chicago area. She and her husband, James William Harper Jr., enjoyed square and round dancing for many years, even in retirement. They often went camping, visiting nearly all of the states in America, often with their dog accompanying them.

She was the daughter of the late Albert Joseph Cummins and Helen Cecelia McCarthy Cummins of River Forest, Illinois. She was born on January 2, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois.

Mary Jane is preceded in death by her husband James William Harper Jr, daughter Elizabeth Jane Harper McLellan and son-in-law, Joseph Don McLellan. Survivors include daughter Jean Ann Harper Royer and son-in-law Michael Joseph Royer Sr. of Humble, Texas, grand-daughter Michele Lynn Royer-Fremaux (Eugene Wilton Fremaux III) of Prairieville, Louisiana, grandson Michael Joseph Royer Jr. (Patricia Ann O'Brian Royer) of Denham Springs, Louisiana, great grandsons Cameron Matthew Feili and Peyton Anthony Royer, and great granddaughter Taylor Nicole Royer. She is also survived by brother-in-law Preston Alvin Harper (wife Edith deceased) and nieces Wanda Hunter Harper and Barbara Harper of Blue Ridge, Texas along with special friends Jan and Ken Dixon.

Pallbearers will be Eugene Wilton Fremaux III, Michael Joseph Royer Jr., Cameron Matthew Feili, and Peyton Anthony Royer.