Peggy June Arnold Roper

Peggy June Arnold Roper, 86, of Greenwood, Louisiana, born June 10, 1938, in Gladewater, Texas, lost her battle with her last illness on February 15, 2025.

Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James H. Roper whom she missed every day; her parents, James A. and Jessie Wilson Arnold; sister, Ione Gilbert Antley; and brothers, James V., Curtis, and Glen Arnold. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth C. Verderame; stepsons, James H. Roper and wife, Connie; Jeffrey Roper and wife, Pam, and stepdaughter, Julie Roper Marler and husband, Robin; sister, Judy Arnold Gentry and husband, Mike; G.W. Arnold and wife, Pat, George Arnold and partner, Kay, and Lee Arnold and wife, Debbie; eight grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Peggy worked at Merrill Lynch for 42 years starting on the switchboard and moving up to SR. Sales Associate. She always embraced new challenges and strived to stay ahead of and abreast of new technology as the years went by. She enjoyed close friendships with many of her co-workers valuing their company and mutual support.

Outside of work, Peggy had many interests. She was an accomplished seamstress who made most of her own work clothes, her daughter’s school clothes plus costumes for dance recitals and marching group uniforms. I learned while preparing to write that she had made her younger sister Judy’s wedding dress, a much-cherished memory that I feel privileged to share.

She also enjoyed cooking for family and friends. Like her sisters, she enjoyed reading cookbooks and watching cooking shows for inspiration. For many years, she shared this love of cooking by preparing rum cakes as Christmas gifts for close family and friends. They were so good!

She loved to read, travel and after the loss of her husband, began art classes with the Bossier Arts Council. Participating in many forms of artistic exploration, she threw herself into this new endeavor and won several awards at local art shows.

No mention of Peggy would be complete without mentioning her husband and friend of 29 years, James. They enjoyed each other’s company, looked forward to discussing their day in the evenings, having morning chats over coffee, traveling together and spending time at the lake to fish or not, and yes for those of you who are wondering, they enjoyed little bouts of bickering equally as much.

Peggy will be greatly missed by family and friends. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr. in Shreveport, Louisiana. Burial will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Rd. in Shreveport. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the start of service at Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Honoring Peggy as pallbearers will be James H. Roper, Scott Roper, Ray Green, Austin Green, Christopher Green, Robin Marler, and Jeffrey Roper.

We would like to express our thanks to the staff at Willis-Knighton North 4th Floor Isolation Unit and 2nd Floor East for their care during Peggy’s last illness. We also want to thank the staff of The Carpenter House Hospice for their care in her last days. Finally, we want to thank Professional Sitter Services and to mom’s main companions for the last few years, Dawn and Carla, who both strived to make her days safe and enjoyable.

Peggy was a strong, loving, reserved and thoughtful wife, mother, sister, and friend.

In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to your favorite charity or Peggy's, The American Heart Association or National Autism Society.