Obituaries

Shirley Raper

Photo of Shirley Raper
Shirley Raper, age 84, of Benton, passed away March 10, 2017. She was born Nov. 23, 1932 in East St. Louis, Ill. Shirley was an Administrative Assistant at The Arkansas Health Center and a member of Temple Baptist Church. Our Momma, was the strongest most self-less person we have ever known. Even at the age of 84 and very sick, still worked almost everyday. Lil Maw to many, she never ever turned anyone away or down, or had a bad word to say about anyone. She tried to teach us so many things, love uncondiondally and judge no one. Some lessons we learned; others not so much. We are so proud and honored to be her children. You will forever be in our thoughts and prayers forever. We all pray that we can be half the person that you have been. We love you momma very, very much. Please let Daddy, Gary, Cassie and Brynn know we love and miss them; which we know you will. We are not saying goodbye, we will see you later. Shirley was preceded in death by her father, Winford Tallent and wife, Everee; mother, Mildred Myers; husband, Luther "Smokey" Raper; sister, Pat Masingale; bother, Rusty Meyers; son-in-law, Gary Dempsey; granddaughter, Cassie Raper and great-granddaughter, Brynn Smith. She is survived by her sons, Greg Raper and wife Terea, Jerry Raper and wife Tonya; daughters, Sherry Fugere and Suzy Dempsey; four brothers, Danny Tallent, Bobby Tallent, Jimmy Tallent and John Meyer; sister, Sandy Krebs all of Benton; ten grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Monday, March 13 at Ashby Funeral Home with services beginning at 10 a.m. Bro. Horace Gray will be officiating. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

Published March 12, 2017

Upcoming Events