Howard Roper

Howard Lee Roper LENOIR Mr. Howard Lee Roper, 92, of Lenoir, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, in Lenoir. Born May 21, 1920, in Burke County, Mr. Roper was a son of the late Stanley Earl and Pearl Hartley Roper and the husband, of the late Christine Oliver Roper. Other than his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Lee Roper; and two brothers, Ned and Harold Roper. Mr. Roper was a faithful member of College Avenue Baptist Church. To many, he was known as a "horse trader". From an early age until his death, he enjoyed trading, gardening, auctioneering and music. He was a major part of Northwestern Auction Company. From his teen years into his early twenties, he played music with various local musicians. Eventually they started a bluegrass band which became well-known in the area, playing at many functions and on the radio. Howard played the banjo, guitar and sang. He spent most of his career working in some type of wood industry. He worked for Broyhill Furniture Industries for many years. Working various positions at Harper Furniture, Lenoir Furniture Corporation and helped establish the Broyhill plant, Summerville, S.C. In 1968, Mr. Roper founded his own company, Roper Lumber Company, Morganton, NC. He provided quality lumber to the furniture industries and building supplies throughout the region. He remained president of Roper Lumber Company until his retirement in 1994, at the age of 74. In his retirement, he continued to enjoy trading, gardening and his church. He never met a stranger. He is survived by three children, Dolores Roper Estep and husband, Jack, Donald Lee Roper and wife, Jessie, and Randy Dale Roper and wife, Rita, all of Lenoir; 6 grandchildren, Linda Greene, Lisa Martin, Stephen Roper, Donna Roper, Madison Roper, Hollie Pennell; three step-grandchildren, Craig Estep, Angie Vite, Neil Estep; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. A celebration of Mr. Roper's life will be held Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 12:30 p.m. at College Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Chuck Brawley and Dr. Earl Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 11 to 12:30 p.m. prior to the service in the sanctuary. Pallbearers will be: Gary Greene, Jack Estep, Joey Finley, Justin Pennell, Madison Roper and Steve Roper. Honorary Pallbearers will be Linda Martin Greene, Tiffany Greene, Lisa Martin, Donna Roper, Kailey Roper, Leah Roper, Hollie Roper Pennell, Lori Roper, Emma Roper, Tess Estep and Leah Estep. The family respectfully requests memorials be made to College Avenue Baptist Church, 1201 College Ave., Lenoir, NC 28645 or Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be sent to the Roper Family at evansfuneralservice.com. Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Roper Family.