Official Obituary of
Minister Pamela J. (Malone) Harper, Ph.D.
December 18, 1967 ~ December 30, 2022 (age 55) 55 Years Old
Minister Pamela Harper, Ph.D. Obituary
First Lady, Minister Pamela J. (Malone) Harper, Ph.D. (affectionately known as "Pam"), 55, went to her heavenly home on Friday, December 30, 2022. She went home surrounded by family with the love of her life, Pastor Harper, holding her hand. She was a faithful and extraordinary woman who loved the Lord, her family, her New Jerusalem church family, and her community.
Minster Pamela J. Harper was born on December 18, 1967, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Anthony James Malone and the late Ceola H. Malone. In 1970, she moved with her family to Akron, Ohio, and then to Anderson, Indiana in 1973. In 1986 she graduated 2nd in her class from Highland High School where she was a National Honor Society Member.
In 1986, Dr. Harper attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. She was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta serving as Chapter President her senior year. She participated in the Delta Sigma Theta Business Opportunity Program. In 1990 she graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Industrial Management focusing on Industrial Engineering.
After graduating from Purdue University, Pam spent 11 years with General Electric on the renowned and highly regarded Corporate Audit Staff in various consulting assignments and thereafter in management positions in Six Sigma Quality, Pricing Management, and eBusiness. She also had employment stints with Eli Lilly, Procter & Gamble, and NCR Corporation.
In 1993, she met Ph.D. student, Tim Harper, in Albany, NY while on an audit staff assignment. God designed a plan where two persons with Midwest sensibilities would meet in the great state of New York, The couple was engaged in 1995 and married in 1996 by Rev. Claire J. Murray, founder and pastor of the New Jerusalem Home of the Saved Church and Bishop Rufus G. W. Sanders in Sandusky, Ohio. On September 28th, 2022, they celebrated 26 years of marriage.
In 2008, she enrolled in the Lally School of Management and Technology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Strategy with a focus on management and marketing. Her program research primarily focused on corporate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. Pam assumed a tenure-track position in the Department of Marketing at Marist College following her graduation from RPI in 2012. Dr. Pamela Harper has served admirably as a tenured Associate Professor of Marketing within the School of Management. Most recently, she served as the chair of the Department of Marketing after successfully pursuing tenure. Pam’s Marist colleagues rave about her many contributions to the Marist college and community. She has performed an array of service commitments at the college and department levels including roles as the School of Management Internship Advisor and the American Marketing Association Marketing Faculty Advisor. In the latter role, Pam has led her students to various awards and recognitions.
Throughout her career, Dr. Harper served as a management consultant to various corporations and associations. She places a strong focus on teaching others financial literacy to improve their quality of life. She previously served on several professional boards including the Rensselaer Alumni Association Board of Trustees, Vice Chair of the Albany County Land Bank Corporation, and Board of Directors for the Sunmark Federal Credit Union. In both her professional and personal life, she loved helping younger and older people with their professional development including resume writing, interview skills, and professional networking.
Pam enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit China, Hong Kong, Denmark, Italy, Paris, Thailand, London, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii during her professional and personal travels. She placed an emphasis on putting family first and valued quality time with loved ones playing board games, relaxing on cruise ships, or traveling domestically for a weekend getaway.
Most importantly, Minister Pamela Harper’s highest priority was her relationship with God. She anchored the New Jerusalem Home of the Saved as its First Lady after demonstrating a high level of commitment under Pastor and Deacon Murray’s leadership. She sought fellowship with the Lord consistently by reading the word of God and performing her morning and evening devotions. Her secret place was the living room. Minister Harper served as an Adult Sunday School teacher for several years. Dr. Harper truly enjoyed breaking down the lesson and using props/materials to demonstrate the key takeaways. A few of her favorite props were Mr. Potato Head, glasses of water (some half-empty, some half-full) perception exercises, and tricky wires with insects and bugs attached.
Her kind spirit was always present as she performed various roles and responsibilities at New Jerusalem. Minister Harper’s pride and joy, as far as church events, were the Annual Community Block Party and New Jerusalem Home of the Saved Church Anniversary Celebration. She served as “super” Coordinator for both events. Saints often called these events her babies. Her par excellent coordination benefitted stakeholders across the spectrum of the Capital Region community. Additionally, Dr. Harper attended to the business of the church through involvement on the New Jerusalem Trustee Board and the Blessed to be a Blessing Committee. Minister Harper served as a liaison to the pastor for special events including Vacation Bible School, nursing home visits and Hallelujah Harvest Festivities. First Lady Harper has always been a primary driver around improvements to the church and annex buildings.
Without a doubt, First Lady Pamela Harper has been pivotal to the pastoral success of her beloved husband, Pastor Timothy Harper, and the mission and vision of New Jerusalem Home of the Saved Church. Truly, she was a beacon of light for the church and sharing her “love notes” from God for all to hear. Her spiritual influence will endure.
Minister Harper was preceded in death by her mother, Ceola H. Malone, mother-in-law Bessie Mae Harper, father-in-law Jessie Davis, brothers-in-law Chris and Calvin Harper, and nephew Calvin Harper Jr. She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband Pastor Timothy L. Harper, Ph.D. of 26 years, two children Brianna M. Harper and Timothy L. Harper II, one sister Cassaundra (David) Humphrey (Blytheville, AR.), two brothers Anthony J. M. Malone II (Alexandria, VA) and Frederick (Shawna) Malone (Fishers, IN). One brother-in-law Mark Harper (Sandusky, OH) and one sister-in-law Joyce Harper (Sandusky, OH). Eight nephews, David Jr., Ryan, A. J., Colin, Myles, Sammy, George, and Marques, and four nieces Kaitlyn, Chanel, Kutilia, and Kristen. Further, she leaves to rest two great-nieces and six great-nephews. She is also celebrated by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, godchildren, and friends.
Minister Pamela J. Harper Ph.D., you have fought a good fight, you have finished your course, and you have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness. We celebrate you here on earth as you receive your heavenly crown. Indeed, you have epitomized the virtuous women depicted in Proverbs 31.
Thank You & Acknowledgement
The Harper-Malone family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, cards, posts, and other forms of condolences during this time of bereavement. We appreciate your love and generosity. May the peace of our Lord always remain with you. We would like to thank the staff at Samaritan Hospital and Dr. Rufus Collea and his staff at NYOH. To the New Jerusalem Home of the Saved church family, the kindness you’ve shown toward us has been a blessing beyond measure. To the AGAPE church family, we appreciate your warm hospitality. We are grateful to God for you all!
A repast for family members, NJ church attendees, and out-of-town guests will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn – AMC on New Scotland Avenue in Albany, NY.
Memorial Contributions Can Be Made To:
The New Jerusalem Home of The Saved Church / Community Block Party
Fund through Givelify
(www.jerusalemlive.com)
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Minister Pamela J. (Malone) Harper, Ph.D., please visit our floral store.
Services
Visitation
WednesdayJanuary 4, 2023
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
New Jerusalem Home Of The Saved
160 Sheridan Ave
Albany, NY 12210
Celebration of Life
WednesdayJanuary 4, 2023
6:00 PM
New Jerusalem Home Of The Saved
160 Sheridan Ave
Albany, NY 12210
Visitation
ThursdayJanuary 5, 2023
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
AGAPE Apostolic Church of Deliverance
1010 Madison Avenue,
Troy, NY 12180
Celebration of Life
ThursdayJanuary 5, 2023
10:00 AM
AGAPE Apostolic Church of Deliverance
1010 Madison Avenue,
Troy, NY 12180
© 2026 Garland Brothers Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility