Mrs. Sarah Jeanette Haywood Roper

Sarah Jeanette Haywood Roper, 85, formerly of Smithfield and most recently relocated to Raleigh, died Saturday, August 21, 2021 in her apartment at Capital Oaks Senior Resort with hospice care following a stroke.

Jeanette was born in Rockingham, NC on February 2, 1936 to Joseph Howell Haywood and Hannah Jane Funderburk Haywood. She graduated from Rockingham High School in 1954 and from Wake Forest University in 1958. In 1961 she married Dr. Thomas (Tom) Evatt Roper, moved to Smithfield, and together they had four children.

Jeanette has been a long time member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Smithfield, NC. She loved her church and was on a ministry team that visited shut-ins. She enjoyed playing bridge in Smithfield and at Capital Oaks. Jeanette had many friends through church, bridge, and from other overlaps in her life. She was also a lifetime blood donor, even donating in her 80’s.

She was an active mother of four and an active grandmother of six. Her grandchildren affectionately called her “Nana” and they held a special spot in her heart. In her 80’s she was also blessed with three great-grandchildren.

Jeanette’s Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00pm Thursday, August 26, in the Theater at Capital Oaks Retirement Resort on 6498 Ray Road in Raleigh, NC. Jeanette’s remains will be interred with her husband Tom’s remains at Pinecrest Memorial Park’s columbarium.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Jane Haywood, her husband Tom, and her sister Joan Hamer (Johnny).

She is survived by her daughter Lynn Winebarger (Garry), grandson Wesley (Lexi) and great -grandchildren Silas and Ella, grandson Kevin (Jessica) and great-grandson Jackson, grandson Clayton (Zoë); her son Tommy Roper (Dianne), granddaughter Shelley; her son Mark Roper (Pamela); her daughter Amy Parish (Kevin) and granddaughters Meredith and Katelyn. She is also survived by one sister Jane Hinson (Charles) and many nieces and nephews as well as extended family and very special friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to either of the following: Transitions LifeCare https://www.transitionslifecare.org/donate/ to give online or by check, "Attn Philanthropy” at 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or donate to Travelers Church (church started by her grandson Pastor Wesley Winebarger) https://travelerschurch.co/giving/ to give online or by check to Travelers Church 79 N Emily St, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.