Howard Lee Roper

Lenoir, NC- Mr. Howard Lee Roper, age 92, of Lenoir, passed away Tuesday, November 20, 2012 in Lenoir. Born May 21, 1920 in Burke County, Mr. Roper was a son of the late Stanley Earl and Pearl Hartley Roper and the husband of the late Christine Oliver Roper. Other than his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Lee Roper and two brothers, Ned and Harold Roper. Mr. Roper was a faithful member of College Avenue Baptist Church. To many, he was known as a “horse trader”. From an early age until his death, he enjoyed trading, gardening, auctioneering and music. He was a major part of Northwestern Auction Company. From his teen years into his early twenties, he played music with various local musicians. Eventually they started a bluegrass band which became well-known in the area, playing at many functions and on the radio. Howard played the banjo, guitar and sang. He spent most of his career working in some type of wood industry. He worked for Broyhill Furniture Industries for many years. Working various positions at Harper Furniture, Lenoir Furniture Corporation and helped establish the Broyhill plant in Summerville, South Carolina. In 1968 Mr. Roper founded his own company, Roper Lumber Company in Morganton, NC. He provided quality lumber to the furniture industries and building supplies throughout the region. He remained president of Roper Lumber Company until his retirement in 1994, at the age of 74. In his retirement, he continued to enjoy trading, gardening and his church. He never met a stranger. He is survived by three children, Dolores Roper Estep and husband Jack; Donald Lee Roper and wife Jessie and Randy Dale Roper and wife Rita, all of Lenoir; 6 grandchildren, Linda Greene, Lisa Martin, Stephen Roper, Donna Roper, Madison Roper, Hollie Pennell; three step-grandchildren, Craig Estep, Angie Vite, Neil Estep; 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. A celebration of Mr. Roper’s life will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2012, at 12:30 at College Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Chuck Brawley officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the service in the sanctuary. The family respectfully requests memorials be made to College Avenue Baptist Church, 1201 College Avenue, Lenoir, NC 28645 or Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be sent to the Roper Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Roper Family. PDF Printable Version