Betty Jane Roper

Betty was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on July 10, 1942, to Powell Walker, Sr. and Edith Walker (nee Phillips), the eldest daughter and fourth of five children. Betty's family later moved to Ferndale, Florida, where her father operated a fish camp on Lake Apopka. As the daughter of a fisherman, she had a lifelong love for the water – perfect for a girl who would go on to to marry the one and only, Jimmy Roper.

Betty could most often be found in enjoying adventures with Jimmy. They went on countless camping, fishing and boating expeditions, sometimes going all the way to the Bahamas. They loved cooking together, especially Captain Jimmy's catch of the day. They never tired of each other's company and genuinely enjoyed life. Her merry laugh was always such a part of her presence, and she was often quoted as exclaiming, “We are having such a good time!!!”

Jimmy and Betty welcomed 19 grandchildren and great-grandchildren together. Betty was the ultimate nurturer, always fussing over Jimmy, her girls and her grands and she especially loved babies and animals. She loved hard and would go to any length to make sure her people were cared for with the utmost attention to detail. Being with her husband and family made her happiest in life and she was unwaveringly loyal to her beloved Jimmy.

Betty will be greatly missed here on earth, but we are comforted to know that she knew Jesus and is whole again in heaven. “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everybody who lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25–26.

Betty is survived by her adoring husband, James, E. Roper, brother, Raymond Walker, and sister, Darlene Switzer, three daughters, Debbie (Mike) Langley, Pamela Manning, Lisa (John) Taylor, stepdaughter Jennifer Roper, ten grandchildren, Jessica (Darren), David (Brittany), Rachel (Billy), Sarah, Charlie, James “Cody” (Aryan), John “J.R.,” Samuel, Clark, Deanna (Jon), nine great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and their families, and her favorite dog of all time, Emmett. Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Ronald Walker and Powell Walker, Jr., and her stepdaughter, Allison Roper.