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Shocked community tries to come to grips

This story originally appeared July 10, 2003

By DANIELLE C. BELTON, Californian staff writer
e-mail: dbelton@bakersfield.com | Thursday, Feb 15 2007 1:48 PM

Last Updated: Thursday, Feb 15 2007 1:48 PM

A group of ministers is trying to coordinate a community effort to help the community and relatives, both affected by the deaths of the five Bakersfield family members found slain on Tuesday.

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Those who knew the family kept saying the same three things Tuesday -- they were shocked, devastated and in disbelief.

Pastor Josephate Jordan of Christ First Ministries said the community is still reeling over the deaths of local activist Earnestine Harper, 70, her daughter Joanie Harper, 39, and Joanie Harper's three children, Marques, 4, Lyndsey, 2, and 6-week-old Marshall.

He could only describe the atmosphere as "chaotic." The phones wouldn't stop ringing. People couldn't stop talking about it.

"Everybody wants to do something but nobody knows what to do at this point," Jordan said. "Just who do we go to at this point? If it was a matter of Earnestine, we'd rush to the daughter. If it was the daughter, we'd rush to Earnestine. There's this shadow with the husband. It's just chaotic right now."

Jordan said several ministers are trying to figure out what they can do to help the families and the communities affected by this tragedy heal. Jordan said the ministers are hoping to meet with Earnestine Harper's two sons, both also ministers, who are coming in from out of town.

Jack Stewart is also hoping to speak with Earnestine Harper's sons. Stewart is the minister at the Church of Christ at 3500 Bernard St. where the Harpers were members and where they attended services Sunday morning.

"They were very loving people," Stewart said. "Very faithful members of the Church of Christ. They're going to be missed tremendously."

Stewart said the family had been church members for about five years.

He said he plans to meet with the family members to discuss what the family should do in the wake of this tragedy.

Other community members who worked with Earnestine Harper expressed similar shock over the murders.

"I always expected her to be there for what was right," said local activist Walter Williams. "If it wasn't God's way, it wasn't right."

Isaiah Crompton, president of the Southeast Business Association, said he got to know Earnestine Harper during the Offord Rollins IV case. Harper believed in Rollins' innocence as she fought to get him released from prison after he was accused of killing his girlfriend.

"She inspired me to do the work I do in the community," Crompton said. "I think we lose a true soldier. I just hope they find the person who did it."

Crompton said he hoped there could eventually be some memorial made for Ernestine Harper and her works, like perhaps having a street named for her.