Ethel Jean Raper

Loving Mother, Jean Raper (Ethel Jean Johnson), died from complications of dementia in Gilbert, AZ on February 16, 2013. Jean was born in Kingman, AZ on December 11, 1925 to Virginia Sears Johnson and Glenn H. Johnson. Virginia was born in Mineral Park, Arizona Territory in 1909. Glenn was brought to Arizona in a covered wagon. Jean married Howard Earl Raper in 1942 . Wayne was killed in 1948 leaving Jean to raise their three children on her own. Jean moved her family to Douglas, AZ, where she worked for over 35 years for Phelps Dodge Mercantile Company. Her greatest joy occurred when she saw all three of her children graduate from college, each from a different Arizona state university. In 1986, she retired as Office Manager of the Mercantile and moved to Burbank, CA, where she helped raise two grandsons. She returned to Arizona in 1999, living in Pinetop in the summer and Tempe/Mesa in the winter. For years she treasured keeping scrapbooks filled with photos, cards and mementos from family and friends. She is survived by Suellen Raper Kyle, Teddy Wayne Raper (Carolyn) and Howard Earl Raper (Janice); her brothers Bob Johnson (Fern) and Hugh Johnson (Renee) as well as grandchildren Robert Kyle, Richard Kyle, Jason (Josie) Raper and Janelle Raper and great-grandchildren, Josette Raper and Conner Kyle. A Private Burial is planned. Donations may be made to Family Hospice of Gilbert, AZ or the Tempe Adult Daycare. Carr-Tenney Mortuary, 2621 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, AZ 85282 assisted the Raper Family with final arrangements.