Obituary of Sandra Kaye Raper

Sandra Kaye (Thrift) Raper was born September 29, 1945 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. Kaye attended grade school at Cotton Plant and the family moved in 1956 where the children attended school at Brinkley, Arkansas. She graduated from Brinkley High School in 1963. She attended Crowley Ridge Vo Tech where she received a certificate in medical transcription. Kaye Married Terrall Ellis Raper in 1967. They lived in Brinkley before moving to Tulsa, Ok in 1970 and then to Collinsville in 1973.

Kaye is preceded in death by her father, William (Bowman) Thrift, her mother Gladys Gilliaum Thrift, one brother, Gerald D. Thrift and one sister, Velma Fowler.

She is survived by her husband Terrall, one daughter Amanda Blakesley and her husband Martin of Collinsville, Ok and one son, Timothy Raper of Talala, Ok. Six beautiful grandchildren, Allie (Oopie), Kilie, Kristian, Katie, Kelsey, and Aries (Tadpole). And one great-grandson that was the light of her life, Kasyn Leroy. Four sisters, Virginia and Donald Chappell of North Little Rock, Irene Carlock, of North Little Rock, Carol Thomas, of New Castle, and Theresa and Butch Cochran, also of North Little Rock. As well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Kaye and Terrall have been members of the Collinsville Free Will Baptist Church since 1974. She taught Sunday school, Junior Church, and was the church clerk for the past 5 years. She was also the treasurer of the local auxiliary and president and secretary of the district auxiliary. She was at one time the church bus driver and song leader and was a proud vacation bible school teacher and store keeper.

Kaye worked in a hospital in Brinkley for nine years, owned the Angus Barn Restaurant in Collinsville and worked for the Collinsville School District for a number of years where she amassed a whole host of friends. Before retiring four years ago, she worked for eighteen years at Dollar Rent A Car as an IT specialist.

Kaye was proud of her church and its members. She loved to serve the Lord with the people that were her extended family. She enjoyed seeing new faces, hugging necks and singing praises to her King.

As Kaye rejoices in Heaven, here are some of the words she left behind for all of us to remember, “Always look for the good in people, forget the bad. Stay away from evil. Accept the person for who they are. Love their soul. Don’t fight. Always love one another. Share everything. Take care of those left and go see the family. Memories and family are the most precious commodity. I love you all so much.”