Obituaries

Jerry Leon Raper

Jerry Leon Raper was born May 16, 1927 in the Brown Grove Community north of Hazen, Arkansas. He went to his heavenly home December 3, 2013. He was preceded in death by a baby daughter, his mother, Mauvline Ingle and step-father, Arthur Ingle; his grandparents, Harley and Lillar Raper and two special brothers, Earl and Carl Raper. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Raper of Hazen; one son, Johnny Raper and wife, Becky of Hazen; three daughters, Pam and husband, Charles Tosh of Hazen, Jan and husband David Bryant of Lonoke and Kim and husband, Jake Nielsen of Hazen. Six grandchildren, Sheila Blumhorst of Hazen, Jesse Tosh and wife, Miranda, Raymond Raper and wife, Lucy, LeAnn and husband, Luke Hooks, MAtthew Bryant and Amber Basart; two step-grandsons, John and Joey Nielsen and families; nine great-grandchildren, Trenton Wiggins, Kaitlin and Kolton Tosh, Shelton, Eli and Jacob Kitchens, and Sophie Jane and Bella Rae Raper and Levit Daniel Hooks; two brothers, Finis Ingle and Fletcher Ingle and wife, Barbara; six sisters, Ina Adams, Mary Nell Wood, Shirley Bowen, Florence Reeves and husband, Alvin, Emma Carlyle and husband, Sam, and Joann Langley and husband, John; three sisters-in-law, Ann Gonnerman and husband, Curt, Carolyn Frazier, and Theresa Brewer and husband, J.D.; two brothers-in-law, Larry Forte and wife, Renee and Doyle Forte and wife, Rachel. Jerry was a Missionary Baptist minister for over 50 years. He pastored the following churches, Pleasant Ridge in Hazen, Arkansas, Bethel in Augusta, Arkansas, Faith in Des Arc, Arkansas, Mt. Pleasant in Bradford, Arkansas, and Oak Grove in Austin, Arkansas. He pastored Pleasant Ridge again and retired there in February 2008. Jerry loved the Lord and preaching God's Word. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, December 5, 2013 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Friday, December 6, 2013 at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Center Point Cemetery. Oonline obituary at www.westbrookfuneralhomehazen.com.

Published December 5, 2013

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