Roy Jackson Raper
November 2, 1943 ~ September 25, 2013
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Roy Jackson Raper, 69, of Asheville, died Wednesday, September 25, 2013, at the St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals.
A native of Haywood Co., Mr. Raper was a son of the late Glenn and Oberia Jackson Raper, and was also preceded in death by a son, Roy Jackson Raper, Jr.
He served in the Navy Reserve and worked with American Enka for 10 years, then retired from Champion Paper.
Mr. Raper enjoyed hunting and fishing with his grandchildren, as well as making a garden and yardwork. He appreciated gospel and bluegrass music, and he was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Sluder Raper; two daughters, Donna Waddell (Terry) and Debbie Whitted (Todd); five grandchildren, Brandon Crawford, Brooke Rickman, Bronson Whitted, Colby Waddell and Sam Waddell; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Nancy Grindstaff and Lillian Raper; and a brother, Glenn Raper, Jr.
A funeral service for Mr. Raper will be on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. with the Revs. Paul Sluder, David Scruggs, and David Grindstaff officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
His family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted and appreciated or memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.
The family expresses appreciation to Drs. Rodney Perez and Gregory Glance for being special physicians and for their care for Mr. Raper, going above and beyond what was expected.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear Shirley and family,
Our thoughts,love, & prayers are with you all at this most difficult time. May God bless you all and give you strength and comfort.
Joe & Juanita Ball and family
Donna and family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray for strength, comfort and peace during this time.
Shirley and Family, my heart and prayers are with you. You know how much Roy meant to me….He was like the brother I never had….we grew up together…same age…DOUBLE first cousins…He was the best…our loss is heavens gain…Kiss my Mommy while you are up there rejoicing….you will be so missed down here by all the people that knew and loved you, With Love for the family, Jewel
Shirley,so sorry to hear of Roy,s passing. Please know that we are holding you and your family up in Prayer. May you all find comfort from The Lord in the day’s ahead.
Dear Family, Keith and I are thinking of you. He was a sweet and gentle teddy bear. We both loved him dearly. All our love and prayers to you all. Feel very fortunate to be part of Roy’s big family.
Love from all the Jackson’s.
Shirley,Sending sympathy and love during this sad time.Roy was a sweet and gentle man,loved by many.
Prayers for God’s grace to be with you.
My deepest condolences to the family. I didn’t see my cousin that often but when I did, he always had that generous kind smile that made me feel welcomed. He will truly be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family. Roy was a wonderful man! God bless. Dr. Thomas and Joyce Morton
Sympathy to you and your family from Homer & Barbara Franklin
Our prayers and thoughts are with your family and friends. We know that heaven has received a very special man who loved his family and was always generous with his love and friendship. We will cherish our visits with him during our visits. Love Papa and MeMad (John and Madeline Rickman)
Our heart aches at the passing of our friend Roy.Our prayers are with the family.We know we will see brother Roy again when we get to Heaven to live with Jesus for all eternity. Rusty and I love you all.
How sad to see such a loving man pass. Knowing such a sweet man and seeing his bright smile always made my day. He will be missed greatly by so many. Shirley, Debbie, Brooke and Brandon our prayers are with you and your whole family during this sad time. Love to all. Chuck, Pat, Michelle & Austin.
Dearest Shirley and family, I am grieved to hear of the passing of a very dear friend. Roy has always been special to me because of his friendly outgoing disposition. He was the same everytime I saw him. I know you will take comfort in knowing he is in a better place and that someday you will see him again. I love you and will be praying for you.
So sorry if there’s anything we can do let us know….You and Your Family are in our Prayers…Love you. Brooke and Danny and Family…
Roy you will be greatly missed. I am praying for all of the family and his friends to have comfort, peace and strength. We will see you again one day sweet Roy. God gained a good man. Love forever,
Debbie Hayes
I will always remember Roy as the fun cousin, who used to pick on my mom. We called him the cousin with the Elvis hair. He will be missed!
Shirley, Debbie, Donna, and all the family,
We are so sorry about Big Roy. He was a truly wonderful man and was loved by many. That great big smile he always had on his face will be greatly missed. We will be out of town this weekend but we are sending great big hugs and prayers to all of you today and in all the days ahead.
Love, Brent and Sarah
Roy was a dear friend and will be missed, my thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Shirley, Donna and I are sorry to learn of Roy’s death and your loss. We will be traveling and will be unable to attend the visitation nor the funeral. I never knew Roy that well, but all the times we did visit, I knew that I had been talking with a true gentleman. He now is in a better place, with a new body that is free of pain.
Dear Raper family,
We will so miss those wonderful hugs and sweet smiles from ‘Honey’. He was always so caring, loving and supportive of everyone he knew. You all were there for us so many times when we needed you. My kids always felt as part of your family as you watched and supported and spoiled them through the years. Roy will be missed but I am certain that he will be the angel with the biggest and sweetest smile in heaven. We will continue to pray for you all and hold him in our hearts.
Mike and Kim Dawson
Shirley&Family, So very sorry to hear of Roy’s passing. He was a pleasure to know and he will be missed.
Hey guys, sorry we are separated from Roy now but that afternoon while praying for him the Holy Spirit said ‘ He is at rest me with now’…peace and love to your family. Bobby Massie
So sad for the loss of Roy, for his wife Shirley and all the family, he was such a caring and loving man. Debie, Donna & Terry were always so loving to all our family,and we will always remember this special family, including brother Glenn & his wife. Love and Caring, Pat, Brad, Dana & Andrea, the Allen’s
Wishing you all the very best during a time of sadness. Roy can rest now Love you all Annette and Boyd Guthrie.
Debbie,
Ruthie & I was sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts & prayers.
Robbie Dempsey & Ruthie
Howard and I send our sincere sympathy to you Shirley, girls and family during a difficult time of loosing a loved one. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Willene
Dear Grindstaff Family, Lillian and the Raper Family,
You are in our prayers at this time of loss. I didn’t know Roy that well, but from what I have heard from Mama and others, he was a kind, thoughtful man. I know you find comfort in knowing that he is at rest now with God. You are all such a special family and our hearts go out to you at this sad time. But, we have to remember that we will meet our loved ones again and ‘What a Day That Will Be.’ Prayers and love to you all.
Sharon McMinn & Kelly
Christine Baker & Family
Patrick & Christy Price & Family
Roy was a gentle giant, with a heart of gold. I worked with him for several years at the Canton Mill and considered him a good friend. He and Buster helped me learn the job and were a joy to work with. Roy had a sly sense of humor. I will remember some of his funny statements forever. To his family I express my sincere condolences, Roy was a good man, a good friend and he will be sorely missed.
Shirley, Debbie, Donna, and family ~ I am at a loss for words but the flood of memories are overwhelming. Cousin Roy was such a sweet man, always had a genuine smile on his face, an awesome quality passed on to his beautiful girls. Its time like this that I wish I did not live out of town so I could be there to support my cousins. This will probably be the hardest thing you will ever do. I know all three of you are strong women so just remember he is not gone, he will forever be with you. All you have to do is look around and you will see signs. With a very heavy heart, I send my deepest sympathy.
Debbie we are so sorry to learn of your father’s passing you will be in our prayers.
God will give you comfort in your time of need.
Shirley, Debbie, ‘Beege’ and Families,
We are so sorry for your loss. Even though we haven’t been in touch so much these last few years, we will always think of you fondly and remember the good times we had together. May the Lord surround you with all comfort and peace in the days ahead. Our sincerest sympathy, Joe & Gaye
Shirley, Debbie, Beagle and rest of family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Big Roy was such a kind and gentle soul. He was always so sweet to me when I was growing up and spending time in your home. Your family is special to me and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love Jill
Very sorry for your loss. Praying for your family in this time of need.
Shirley, Debbie, Donna, and entire Raper family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during your loss. Roy was such a sweet person. He had a magic smile. May God give you strength during this time.
Shirley, Debbie and Donna;
Words can not express the way I feel with the passing of Roy. He was the most gentle and kind person I have ever known. My heart goes out to all of you at during this sad time.
Dear Shirley, Debbie and Donna,
What can you say except Heaven received a saint! We were so saddened to learn of Roy’s passing. We loved him like a daddy! There are many great memories of living next door on Homestead Road ! You all are in our thought and prayers. Much Love, Tami, Lori and Leslie
SHIRLEY & FAMILY,
WE ARE SO SORRY OF ROY’S PASSING. OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, MAY GOD BLESS & COMFORT YOU. SO SORRY WE COULD NOT MAKE THE VISITATION OR SERVICE.
OUR LOVE,
BETTY & HARRY McCULLOCH