Margaret Elizabeth Raper

Margaret Watson Raper, widow of Troy L. Raper, died November 26, 2022, at the age of 97. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on December 3, 1924, to James A. and Sadie Rogers Watson. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Sue Watson Warford and nephews, Walton R. Warford, Jr. and Walton R. Warford III.

She graduated from Little Rock Senior High School in 1942. In 1945 she entered civilian service with the U.S. Government. In 1979 she retired from the Federal Highway Administration after 34 years of Federal service.

On October 5, 1946, in Little Rock, she married Troy Lamar Raper after his return from service in World War II. At the time of his death in 2021, they had been married 76 years. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church where she was active in the Sunday School Nursery Department for 30 years.

She is survived by her nieces, Katie Warford Richmond and husband, Cody of Elkins, Arkansas; Gail Harrison York and husband, Cline of Lonoke, Arkansas; and Joan Raper of Richmond, Texas; nephews, Blake Harrison and wife, Cristy of Lonoke; and Steve Raper and wife, Tena of Strafford, Missouri.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 1 at 6:00 p.m. at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock. Graveside service will be Friday, December 2 at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander.

Arrangements entrusted to Smith Little Rock Funeral Home.