Wilbert Lee "Smokey" Harper was born in Gulfport, MS on August 16, 1953 to Thomas Harper and Margaret Magee. On Monday, August 28, 2023 Wilbert took three steps to heaven, out of self, into Christ, into glory. He departed this walk of life at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, MS.

He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Harper; his mother, Margaret Harper; his brothers, Thomas "Baldy" Harper, Pete (Frankie) Harper, Herman Lee Harper; and two sisters, Margaret Harper Magee and Ethel "Mimi" Anderson.

He leaves to cherish his memory an extended family including: his daughter, Reshawnta Tillis of Gulfport, MS; three grandchildren; Kaylee Tillis, Karlee Tillis and Kaden Tillis; four brothers, Bobby (Wanda) Harper, Gary Anderson, Toleado Harper all of Gulfport, MS, and Gary (Karla) Harper of Dayton, Ohio; five sisters, Carolyn Harper, Rosie Harper, Betty Barnes, Zenobia Clark, and Tawana (Henry) Harper all of Gulfport, MS; a special nephew, Tony Harper of Gulfport, MS; a god-daughter, Keyiarri Harper of Gulfport, MS; and many other relatives and friends.