Frances "Red" Roper

Frances "Red" RoperLaurensFrances "Red" Roper, age 87, of 11192 Highway 76 West, Laurens, in the Hickory Tavern Community, wife of William Felton Roper, Jr, passed away Friday, January 12, 2018, at National Healthcare Center of Laurens.Born in Rhodhiss, NC, she was a daughter of the late Lewis and Lola Carpenter Whelchel. She was an Army wife who directed the American kindergarten in Mannheim, Germany. Frances was a homemaker, a retired teacher at Whitten Center, a substitute teacher for Laurens District 55, and volunteer at Waterloo Elementary. In her fifties, Red received her Bachelors degree from Lander University. Surviving in addition to her husband of 69 years, are four children, Norma Reed and husband Gene of Hickory Tavern, Butch Roper and wife Sue of Woodruff, Lewis Roper and wife Susan of Walhalla, and Melody Sarmento (husband Bill, deceased) of Hickory Tavern; seven grandchildren, Hollis, Heather, Preston, Brad, Matt, Will, and Christina; and thirteen great grandchildren.In addition to her parents she was predeceased by one brother, Melvin Whelchel; and one sister, Norma Hedges.Funeral services will be 3:30 pm, Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at Rabun Creek Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Jayson Payne and Dr. Clarence Adkins with burial in the church cemetery.The family will be at the residence and will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.Memorials may be made to Rabun Creek Improvement Fund, 17045 Hwy 101 S, Gray Court, SC 29645.Condolences may be expressed at www.thekennedymortuary.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frances "Red" Roper please visit our Sympathy Store.