Lorraine Harper

Lorraine Harper was born July 19, 1957, in Los Angeles, California. She was the seventh of nine daughters and six sons born to Bishop James Harper and his wife Ocariz. She was nurtured in a home filled with spiritual love and Christian guidance. Her first religious commitment was fostered in the Evangelistic Fellowship Center Church under the direction of her father, Bishop James Harper. She was baptized at the tender age of thirteen. As a young girl, she sang in the church choir and also learned to play the drums alongside her brothers John, Larry, and West Oliver. Lorraine played an integral role in the religious life of the church throughout her early life and into her teenage years. It was under the umbrella of the church and within her family that Lorraine learned to show unflinching love and concern for her siblings, extended family, friends, and community.

Lorraine attended 32nd Street USC Magnet Elementary School, Foshay Junior High School, and graduated from Los Angles High School in 1975. After high school she had several jobs, and at different times worked in a dental office, pre-school, and after school daycare facility. In 1979, Lorraine married Eddie Miles and had two children: Ocariz Nicole Miles and Eddie Miles.

During her adult life she ventured away from the protective community of the church. During these years Lorraine’s life was challenging. She struggled but overcame many obstacles and eventually found her way back to the church by the grace of God. In 2020, she re-dedicated her life to God and joined Fresh Anointing New Life Ministries under the leadership of  Pastor Donald Martin, Sr.

In the past few years, Lorraine experienced serious health issues that caused her to be hospitalized. Throughout her hospitalization she had an unshakable belief in the healing power of God, and with God’s mercy, defied the clinical expectations of doctors and medical science by bouncing back every time they said she most probably would not. She fought a long, difficult battle with her illness, while her daughter, son and their families supported her in every possible way they could. During these times, she continuously looked to God, her sisters and brothers—whom she loved with every cell in her body—for spiritual strength and encouragement. Throughout, Lorraine was fearless. She understood that the spirit of God was within her, even in her darkest moments. If Lorraine had been able to speak in those last moments she may have said, “…though I walk through the valley of death I fear no evil for the Lord God art with me.”

Sadly, Lorraine succumbed to her illness on January 5, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones: just five years after her children buried their father, Eddie Miles, on December 31, 2020 and two months after the death of her older sister Geraldine Craft. Lu, as she was affectionately nick-named, will always be remembered as a ray of sunshine. She was a powerhouse who loved to laugh, to hear beautiful music, to crochet, solve word puzzles, dance until she dropped, and play with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In other words, she valued life, lived to the fullest, and deeply valued her family.

Lorraine Harper is survived by her two children: Ocariz Nicole Miles and Eddie Miles; nine grandchildren: Maliyah, Trinity, Da’shanie, Jose, Patrick (Deceased), Chazay, Cortez, Jeremiah, and Phamus; five great-grandchildren: Ferra, Ferran, Armani, Zalaya (Deceased), and K’Sauni; her seven sisters: Irene (Jerry, deceased) Bertie (Eugene, deceased), Linda (Donald), Patricia (Ali), Rachel (Kenny), Ilene (Danny), Sylvia and two brothers: Larry Darnell and West Oliver; as well as a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family. We will miss her profoundly.