Peggy Raper

RAPER, Peggy Brown. Peggy showed her family and friends the true meaning of the words "Strength," "Courage" and "Faith," as she battled for over a year with the "evil beast," Pancreatic Cancer. She answered God's call February 10, 2010. She was 77 years young! If God hand-picked anyone suitable for the nursing profession it was Peggy. After graduating from Stuart Circle Hospital School of Nursing, she stayed loyal to her alma mater by practicing her profession there for several years. Her effervescent smile was ever present, as if it were molded, and her calm demeanor was assuring to those in need and whose lives she tirelessly touched, both professionally as a nurse at Henrico Doctors' Hospital - Forest, and as an ultra-devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great- Grandmother. Peggy was extremely dedicated to her family and spent years looking after them whether they wanted her to or not. She also had a reputation for filling her life, and those around her, with miniature Christmas villages and little white snow characters! This led to her longtime involvement with the Department 56 Christmas Village Club (RAFSCO) of which she held many positions. This fun and light-spirited addiction was passed to her husband, children and many friends. While she kept herself busy and efficient, she managed to find time to keep up with just about every sport at every level, especially her regular attendance at her grandsons' athletic events. She was also a passionate fan of the Duke University basketball team and the Atlanta Braves! It's no coincidence that her and Bob's annual use of their Kissimmee, Fla. timeshare was scheduled during the Braves spring training camp at Disney. They also attended exhibition games which she immensely enjoyed. No matter the pain level during the past year, Peggy's constant smile never waned! Peggy would like to be remembered by her neighbors, many friends and former co-workers (of whom she had many fond memories ) and especially the North River family of die hard, mountain campers who will continue to stretch stories about the best and worst meals ever cooked over a wood fire and the coldest night they ever spent in a tent! Peggy is survived by her husband and best buddy of 57 years, Bob "Robert"; her brother, Bill Brown of Fleming Island, Fla; three children and their spouses, Debra Kelleher (Pat), Robert Draper (Terri Lynne) and Patti Aldredge (Jay); six grandchildren, Michael and Adam Farmer, Wesley (Laura) and Blake Draper, and Alex and Drew Aldredge; two great-grandchildren, Memphis and Aiden Farmer; and a special niece, Teresa Kuperberg of Tallahassee, Fla. We especially want to thank Hospice of Virginia for their outstanding assistance. Peggy is in good hands now and will be taken care of with the same care that she spent her life doing for others. An informal visitation will be held Friday evening, February 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 W. Broad Street Road, Glen Allen, Va. Telco 804-270-6321. In lieu of flowers, Peggy asked that donations be made to Skipwith Baptist Church, 1900 Skipwith Road, Henrico, Va. 23229. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service, officiated by Dr. Cecil Chambers, followed by a reception at the church on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 11 a.m.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.