Zena Ophelia Kiper

1970 - 2024

Zena Ophelia Kiper, age 54, departed this life peacefully on Monday, July 8, 2024 at her home in Gretna, LA. Zena was born in New Orleans on a Mardi Gras Day, February 10, 1970. In 1978, at the age of 8, Zena and her brother relocated to live with their great-aunt and uncle in Mobile, AL. Zena graduated from Leflore Magnet High School in Mobile, AL. Upon returning to New Orleans after graduation, Zena moved back with her parents and siblings in N. O., LA. Zena was employed as a Shift Manager with over 35 years at Rally's Corps working at various locations ending at the Metairie location. Rally's was her first and only employment. Zena loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and family at gatherings with her sister Velinda and her late brother-in-law Henry Newton's family home. She loved taking her children and grandchildren to the beaches, parks and eating one of her favorite foods, which was definitely crawfish. Zena was preceded in death by her parents Marietta Jones and Lawrence C. Kiper III; brothers: Lawrence C. Kiper IV and Kenney M. Kiper; grandson Kingsley Smith; great-aunt and uncle caregivers: Juliette W. Woods and Mack Woods. Zena leaves to cherish her memories with companion Oscar Adams of Atlanta, Ga.; 11 children: Jaquanda M. Kiper, Attorney Anthony C. Kiper of Texas, Joseph B. Kiper, Jessica B. Ingraham, Senior Undergraduate RN Brittany R. Smith, Senior Airman Benjamin L. Smith Jr. (Jasmine) of Ohio, Robert B. Smith, Trinity M. Smith, Ashanti M., Paris G. and Giselle D. Kiper; 15 grandchildren, 2 brothers Troy and Julien Kiper; 5 sisters: Velinda K. Newton, Denise K. Scioneaux (Darren), Kim, Catina and Karen Kiper and host of other relatives, friends and coworkers who loved her dearly. The family of Zena O. Kiper would like to give a special thanks to her cousin Retired Nurse Maxine W. Jones, Ochsner Medical Center hospice care, father of her children Benjamin L. Smith Sr. for assisting in anyway, coworker Merial Sims and her friends at the law office of Allen Berger & Associates. Balloon Release by employees of Rally's Corps, 4001 Airline Hwy., Metairie, LA 70001, Friday, July 19, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Maria Goretti Church, 7300 Crowder Blvd., N. O., LA 70127 to celebrate the amazing and beautiful life she lived. Fr. Daniel H. Green officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Funeral Home: Rhodes Funeral Home, 1020 Virgil St., Gretna, LA 70053.