She and her husband built the Elkins Motor Lodge in 1949, and owned the Harper Oil Company and other wholesale businesses.   She was an honor graduate of Davis and Elkins College, a member of the Randolph Chapter No. 74, United Daughters of the confederacy, National Society, U. S. Daughter of 1812; National Society of the Daughters of American Colonists, and National Society of the Magna Charta Dames.   Mrs. Harper was a charter member of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's clubs; a member of the American Society of University Women; and a member of the Randolph county and Pocahontas County Historical Societies.

From Pocahontas Times - Nov 1962

Among the very early pioneers of Greenbrier County was John Beard and his wife, Jennett Wallace.  John was a captain in the Revolutionary War and two of his sons served as officers in the War of 1812.  There were eleven children born to this union.  In John's will dated May 11, 1808 he left to his youngest son Josiah Beard the Locust Creek Plantation and Mills.  Josiah Beard was born in 1792, and when he became of age he located on the land left to him by his father.   He married Rachel Cameron Poage, and they, in turn were the parents of eleven children.  One of these children was Wallace Warwick Beard, the father of William Warwick Beard, who unveiled the portrait of his grandfather in the courthouse at Marlinton on November 14.  In March, 1821, the Virginia legislature passed a resolution to form a new county which was given the name of Pocahontas.  Josiah Beard was appointed as the first county clerk, with Thomas Beard, his brother, as one of the bondsmen.   The first court was held on March 5, 1822, at the residence of John Bradshaw in Huntersville, Virginia, now West Virginia.

Many years ago Mrs. Don (Wilma Beard) Harper, of Elkins, was asked if she had, or could locate, a picture of Josiah Beard to be used for the purpose it is being used.  About a year ago she obtained a daguerreotype of Josiah Beard from his grandson from which she had it copied and painted in oil by her husbands niece, Arlene Bailey Davis.  As her father, Josiah Osborne Beard, was a grand-nephew of Josiah Beard, the Clerk, and he was named for him, it was with pride and pleasure that she shred the honor seeing Josiah Beard's grandson, William Warwick Beard, unveil the painting, commemorating for Pocahontas County one of the historical events associated with the formation of the county.  Brown B. Beard, serving for a number of years as a member of this court, is also the son of Josiah Osborne Beard.  Both are direct descendents of Major Samuel Beard of Greenbrier County, mentioned above.