Doris Bivins Raper

Doris Bivins Raper, 81, formerly of Black Walnut Lane, Candler, went on to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 12, 2007, at Pisgah Manor Health Care following a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s. A native of Swain Co., Mrs. Raper was a daughter of the late John and Cynthia McMahan Bivins. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Wilson Raper, who died in 1992; and brothers, Clarence D. Bivins, Baxter U. Bivins, and Lamar W. Bivins. Mrs. Raper retired after 32 years as a physical testing lab technician at American Enka. Prior to American Enka, she was involved with the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, TN. She was a member of Piney Mountain United Methodist Church. She was loved by all. Mrs. Raper is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Crystal Diedrich and Jim, JoAnn Rhinehart and Russell, Jewel Deane Atwood and Ehrick, and Mary Jo Pressley and Ray, all of Candler; sister, Ruby Buchanan, of Candler; brother, Claude V. Bivins, of Asheville; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. Interment will follow at Pisgah View Memorial Park. Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The family gives special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Pisgah Manor for their tireless efforts to provide their mother with excellent care. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 31 College Place, Suite D320, Asheville, NC 28801.