Della Mae (Stroud) Harper Grant

Della Mae Stroud Harper Grant

August 29, 1925 – January 8, 2026

Kinston- Della Mae Stroud Harper Grant was born August 29, 1925, in Lenoir County to the late Clyde and Annie Stroud. Della met and married Carl D. “Tebo” Harper in October of 1941. She then began her life as a homemaker and mother. Della and Carl were blessed to see their family grow with the birth of eleven children.

Della is predeceased by her husband, Carl, and children, Carolyn Anne, Bryan, Donnie, Jeff, and Judy Catherine. Della was also preceded in death by her second husband, Norval Grant. She is survived by her children, Carl Harper, Jr. (Kris), Robert Harper (Pat), Danny Harper, Rodney Harper (Patricia), Sandy Jones (Ken), and Darlene Rappa; and stepson, John Grant.

Much of Della’s life was raising her children, working on the farm, and being a strong matriarch for her family. She also did work outside of the home later in life to provide for her family. In recent years, her home has been the centerpiece of her family as they gathered together to eat around her table, to visit, and to allow “Mamma” to listen and advise as she had done through the years. Della lived to be 100 years old and thrived to the very end, living independently until her death.

In addition to her children, Della is survived by 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 25 great, great-grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces, Margaret Brown, Violet Pate, Sue Rouse, and Peggy Smith.

A service of love and remembrance will be held at Howard-Carter Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at the Harper Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Della’s memory may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 115 Airport Road, Kinston, NC 28501, or your local hospice organization.