Jacqueline Raper

1938 - 2017

ROCKY MOUNT - Jacqueline "Jackie" Byrd Raper, age 78, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Born in Bertie County, NC on May 24, 1938, she was the daughter of the late E. Goodwin Byrd and Elma Biggs Byrd.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Donald Joyner Raper, Sr.; and sister, Ann Byrd Tayloe.

Jackie attended East Carolina Teacher's College (now ECU) in Greenville, NC graduating with an associated degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in music. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. After graduating, she married Donald Joyner Raper, Sr. of Lucama, NC. They settled in Rocky Mount and were married for over 40 years.

She began her 30 years of teaching at Bassett Elementary School, continued teaching at Rocky Mount Academy, MB Hubbard, and Williford. Jackie loved her students with all her heart and enjoyed watching her former students grow-up in the community. It was a highlight of her days when she ran into former students around town as they thanked her for being a great teacher and a positive impact on their early years. After retiring from teaching, she opened a gift shop called "The Byrd Cage". She loved that shop for many reasons but primarily because she could be close to her husband and interact with so many friends/customers while they shopped at the drug store and her shop. This period of her life made for many great memories.

She was an active member of Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount for 41 years. Jackie's favorite form of worship was through music. Singing Handel's Messiah with the church choir and the North Carolina Symphony every holiday season was something she looked forward to every year.

Jackie is survived by her daughter, Melanie Philips and husband, John, of Wilmington, NC; her son, Don Raper, Jr. and wife, Genie, of Rocky Mount, NC; and her son, Chris Raper and wife, Leigh Ann, of Little Rock, AR. She leaves six granddaughters: Jordan, Lanie, Mary Frances, Grayson, Sara and Cate Bradley.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, March 17, 2017 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

A Celebration of Jackie's will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, with Dr. Jody Wright officiating. Visitation will follow service in the Sugg Foyer of the Kinchloe Building.

The family wishes to thank, in particular, their mother's two caregivers, Mary Norwood and Wanda Norwood for their devotion, love, and friendship. Thanks as well to Dr. Doug Slater and his nurse Donna Collie for their many years of professional and compassionate care. Thanks to the loving staff at Brookdale Senior Living and Dr. Doug Boyette, Letisha Richardson, and Debbie Stilly from Hospice of Nash General Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.