Carina Harper

Carina Lacsa Harper, age 80, beloved wife and mother, of Belton, TX, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Carina was born in Manila, Philippines, on February 21st, 1943. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 5 at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Killeen, begining at 1:30 pm with Father Chris Downey officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 11 am. Committal will take place at Central Texas State Veteran's Cemetery at 3pm.

As a young lady, Carina earned her Cosmetology degree, and her love for beauty, aesthetics, and fashion remained an interest of hers throughout her life. She loved to shop and she enjoyed getting a good deal on clothing, trinkets, and accessories. She showed great talent in crocheting, and gifted her handiwork to many. Gift-giving was Carina’s love language, and she was incredibly generous to everyone she knew. After caring for her children until they were grown, Carina spent several years working at a fruit stand in Rockledge, FL, and at restaurants in Merritt Island, FL. She was honored as the Fazzoli’s restaurant regional “Employee of the Year” at a large gala in Las Vegas, which gave her the opportunity to try her luck at the slot machines. Her supervisors described her as having “a win-win attitude and a contagious smile,” and customers referred to her as the “dining-room queen.” This was a proud accomplishment of hers. Carina was always active, feisty, and loved to travel and enjoy life. She had an incredible sense of humor, which was accentuated by her thick Filipino accent, and she always knew how to make those around her laugh with her random antics and comments. After her husband passed, she would often talk about how she missed “Tex” so much. Although the loss of her presence is deep and profound, her loved ones can take solace in knowing that she is now resting in eternal peace with her cherished husband.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Claude “Tex” Harper; sister, Leticia Olson; and brother, Junior Lacsa.

She is survived by her children, son, Gary and wife, Liza; daughters, Jeanette and husband, Hardy, Glenda and husband, Kevin, and Cynthia; grandchildren, Melissa, Michael, Kristina, David and wife, Leena, Max, Beau, and Ty; and great-grandchildren, Lily, Justice, and Skylar; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews from Indiana and the Philippines – all of whom she treasured immensely.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.