Gertrude Thomas Raper: Obituary

Obituaries

Raper, Gertrude Thomas passed away at home surrounded by the family she loved unconditionally and who returned that love and devotion on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the age of 99.

Gertrude was born on June 22, 1918 in the Dooley community of Union County.  She is preceded in death by her parents, John B. and Mary Jane Rogers Thomas; her husband, Arthur William Raper; two sons Hubert and Marvin Raper; her great granddaughter, Alexandra Blackwell; her sisters, Adele Potts, Oply Botts, and Juanita Nichols; her brothers, Guy and Theodore Thomas; her daughter-in-law, Martha Hensley Raper; her son-in-law, Eugene Fair; her granddaughter-in-law Lisa Timpson Fair; and her great grandson-in-law Andrew Ethridge.

She is survived by her son, Hoyt Raper; her daughters LaVaughn Fair and Verniece “Tootsie” (Joe) Kilpatrick; her daughters-in-law Dorothy Oliver Raper and Terry Gibson Raper; her grandchildren, Terry (Jill) Fair, Lisa F. Sledge, Jennifer F. (Maynard) Cain, Julie Raper, Michael (Stacy) Raper, Kim K. (Richard) Blackwell, Erin K. (Marcel) Barré, Tara R. (Derek) Sena, Chris (Tonya) Raper and Nathan Raper;  great grandchildren Kristin F. Ethridge; Rachel and Ashley Fair; Misty Creason; Nicole and Joshua Kidd; Meagan Cain; Kaley, Michael W. and Zachary Raper; Grayson Blackwell; Katherine, Benjamin, Madeleine and William Barré; Maci and Erica Sena; and George Raper; great-great grandsons Kyle and Matt Kerchofer; her sister-in-law Gladys Thomas and many special nieces and nephews.

Gertrude had a sharp wit, great sense of humor, strong work ethic and a warm personality that endeared her to all.  Her great legacy will be her love for family.  As a true Southern matriarch she was fiercely proud and protective, always keeping them close and being present for them.  Her happiest moments were spent with a house full of children and grandchildren and it always included huge meals she prepared from her garden.  She, also, loved being with friends and neighbors.

Her primary job was raising 5 children; which, she did with great skill.  Along with that she worked as a “Rosie” the riveter for Bell Bomber during WWII; a merchant, baker and seamstress.  She was known for her beautiful handmade quilts which she sold to supplement her income.

Gardening, canning, travel and reading were her favorite pastimes.  Widowed at age 51, she was able to travel with her adult children coast to coast and overseas but was always happy to return to her beloved mountains.  Each time she embarked on a trip, she would say, “Off on another adventure!”

Funeral services will be held on Saturday March 10, 2018 at 2:00 pm from the Mountain View Chapel with the Rev. Tony Black officiating. Special music will be presented by Kaley Raper. Pallbearers were grandsons Terry Fair, Michael Raper, Nathan Raper, Chris Raper, Michael W. Raper, Benjamin Barré, Zachary Raper and William Barré. Interment will follow in the Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 12-2:00 pm prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bethany Cemetery Trust c/o Glenda Herndon, PO Box 1261, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

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