Ricky Dewayne Raper

Ricky Dewayne Raper, 59, of Candler, NC, passed away May 13, 2022.

Ricky was born October 5, 1962, in Buncombe Co, to Glenn E. Raper, Jr. and the late Helen J. Raper. He was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Florence “Jean” Lane of Candler, in 2019.

Ricky was a warehouse supervisor at Gerber from 1985 until they closed in 2006. He then went to work for Best Distributors and All Aluminum for several years until he became unable to work in 2009. While working, he was also the owner, along with his wife Linda “Momma Doll”, as Ricky called her & some might know her, of the Big Hearts Resale and Donation Center in the Enka Plaza on Smoky Park Highway. Ricky & Linda in turn took their own money as well as monies they had from Big Heart and supported an adult group home for the mentally and physically challenged. Ricky and Linda had a passion to help the mentally and physically challenged, to help them know they are special, and often threw pizza and board game nights for them. Ricky’s favorite times were at Christmas, as they opened their presents and seeing their faces light up; Ricky said all the hard work and very long hours was worth it, to see their joy.

In addition to his father, Ricky is survived by his wife of 27 years, Linda Cain Raper; daughters, Ericca M. Garland and Amber G. Hixson and husband Matt, of Candler; grandchildren, Jackson, Reagan, Coen, Hattie Mae, Adriana and Alijah; brother, Roger Raper and wife Tracey of Candler; niece and nephews, Kaylar, Jake and Drew; father-in-law, William Lester Cain of Broadway, NC; brother-in-law, W. Mark Cain, of Asheville; step-children from a previous marriage, Scotty Ingle, Ashley and Johnny Landing and their boys Cayden and Parker; and many aunts, uncles and cousins in Buncombe and Yancey Counties.

Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Victory Fellowship Worship Center, at 450 Aiken Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the funeral home to assist with expenses.