Elijah Cornelius Harper went to his eternal resting place on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. "Lijah" as he was affectionately called, was born to the late Alexander Harper and Martha Nixon Harper on August 27, 1952.

Elijah was a lifetime member of New Willow Grove Baptist Church where he sang in the male chorus, 2nd Sunday Choir and served as a trustee. He earned his education at Crestwood High School and shortly thereafter, met and married Juanita Seymore on July 29, 1972 to which one child was born.

Recently retiring from Houff Transfer Trucking after 19 ½ years, he had many things he loved to put his focus on: his family, hunting, fishing and the Miami Dolphins but his passion was music and singing and it showed. His smooth, singing voice garnered the attention of people across the nation. Although he made you take notice with any song he sang, it was the song Brother Noah that he was most known for. There was no one who could sing that song like "Lijah"!

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Evelyn Mitchell, Paulette Williams, and Audrey Warren, and a brother, Raymond Harper.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Juanita Seymore Harper, his son, Elijah Jr.; his grand-daughter whom he called "Boo-Boo", Brenique Yates; his siblings James Sr. (Jeanette), Essie Demory (Jerry), Robert Sr. (Dara), Charles, Arneata Langley, Gloria Fox (Tony), David Sr. (Wanda), Samuel (Yvette), Vanessa Seymour (Jimmy), Regina Harper and Sharon Smith; two aunts, Lula Harper and Helen Harris; sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, and a hosts of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and acquaintances.

A funeral service will be held 11 am, Saturday, August 11, 2018 at New Willow Grove Baptist Church, 841 Saint Brides Road W, Chesapeake. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Viewing will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2018 from 9am until 11am at New Willow Grove Baptist Church, 841 W. St. Brides Road, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322. Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake is in charge of arrangements.