Gene Austin Raper

Gene Austin Raper

June 29, 1934 – December 14, 2013

Gene Austin Raper, 79, of Wilson passed away Saturday.  Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday at Joyner’s Funeral Home.  Entombment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson.  The Rev. Chris Truitt and Rev. Rusty Russell will officiate. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. prior to the service at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson and other times at 4902 Carmel Lane, Wilson. Gene served his country honorably and faithfully with the U.S. Army.  He formerly owned and operated Regal Oil Company and was a sales manager with Lee Motor Company.  Gene was a member of the VFW and a former member of Wilson Moose Lodge.  Gene was a contributor and advocate of St. Jude’s Hospital and cancer research. Gene is survived by his wife of 59 years, Peggy Turnage Raper of the home; his sons, Steven Gene Raper and wife, Leslie of Wilson and Robert Alan Raper and wife, Darla of Wilson; his granddaughters, Stephanie Raper and Mary Catherine Raper; his grandsons, Eric Raper, Moreland Williams, Colby Raper and Brandon Raper; his sisters, Marie Barnette and husband, Joe of Wilson, Dorothy Turnage of Kinston, Margaret Smith and husband, Charles of New Port News and Mary Evelyn Smith and husband, Bruce of Richmond; his brother, Kenneth Raper and wife, Letha Mae of Greenville and beloved dog, Sweetie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Edgar Raper and Thelma Norris Raper; his brother-in-law, Freeman Turnage and beloved dog, Jack Daniel’s III. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.  Condolences may be directed to www.joyners.net.