Ralph Roper, age 78, of Rutherfordton, NC, died Monday, February 3, 2014 at Rutherford Regional Medical Center.
Born December 28, 1935 in Rutherford County, he was a son of the late John William Roper and Euneeda Dills Roper. Ralph worked for Cone Mills-Florence Plant for over 30 years before his retirement and for the Gilkey Convenience Center in his retirement years. He was a member of Mountain Creek Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He enjoyed farming, gardening, fox hunting and especially sitting on the front porch in his chair next to his pet Basset hound, Droopy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred Roper and Kenneth Roper and two sisters, Katherine Padgett and Louise Hawkins.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Betty Wright Roper; son, Randy Roper and wife, Brenda of Rutherfordton; brother, James Roper and wife, Louise of Rutherfordton. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Justin Roper, Bubba Bowen and wife, Tina and Pam Carver and husband, Bradley; four great-grandchildren, Joshua Carver, Todd Carver, Caleb Bowen and Caitlyn Bowen.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2014 at Mountain Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Charles McClure officiating. Inurnment will take place in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
