Sharon Gaines Raper

Sharon Gaines Raper Coahoma, MS.
Ms. Sharon Gaines Raper, age 69, of Coahoma, MS, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN. Services will be held Friday, January 23, 2026, at Oakhurst Baptist Church in Clarksdale, MS with visitation starting at 10 a.m. and funeral services beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Sharon was born on September 18, 1956, in Clarksdale, MS, to the late Joseph William Gaines, Jr. and Gracie Hudson Gaines and lived in Clarksdale all of her life. She and her husband, James, shared a wonderful 41-year marriage and had three children. Sharon was a member of Oakhurst Baptist Church and previously of Lyon Baptist Church where she and James made many dear, life-long friends. At Lyon Baptist she served as a deacon's wife and a church hostess. In her earlier years, Sharon worked for Coahoma Electric, Coahoma County High School, and Federal Compress before she found her true calling as a stay-at-home mom. During this time, she also worked part-time as a bookkeeper with her husband in their business, Raper Auto Sales.
Sharon was known for her love of flower-gardening, crafting, and having a keen eye for decorating, but she enjoyed cooking, hosting, and entertaining most of all. The Raper home and lake house were always open to family and friends where Sharon and James provided a safe place to be, whether it was to hang out, have a swim party, or spend time on the lake. After the children were grown, Sharon and James opened a Quiznos sandwich shop which she helped manage for several years. Sharon worked for Planters Bank in Clarksdale for the past 17.5 years where she was a friendly face to many bank patrons. In her downtime, Sharon was an avid Ole Miss Rebels fan, an Atlanta Braves fan, and loved sunset boat rides on Moon Lake – but she was best known for her sweet smile, kind heart, and love for her family and friends who deeply cherished her. Her five grandchildren also adored their "Lolly." Sharon was predeceased by her husband, James; brother, Gary Gaines; and her parents.
She is survived by two sons, Heath Raper of Germantown, TN, and Corey Raper of Oxford, MS; one daughter, Erica Raper (Jacques Taylor) of West Palm Beach, FL; mother-in-law, Ms. Ruby Raper of Clarksdale, MS; two sisters, Brenda (John) Chandler of Spring Hill, TN, and Teresa (Roland) Webster of Sidon, MS; sister-in-law, Vera Gaines; five grandchildren, Tristan Raper of Oxford, MS; Campbell Raper of Germantown, TN; Pendleton Raper of Oxford, MS; Aleese McClelland and Sophia McClelland of Arlington, TN; many nieces and nephews; an "adopted" daughter (niece), Carrie Bennett; an "adopted" granddaughter (great niece), Emma Grace Bennett; life-long friend, Denise Boswell and many more sweet friends from her two Bunco groups.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or charity of donor's choice. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sharon Gaines Raper, please visit our floral store.