SPENCER – Harley Hartford Raper, 84, of Spencer, died Thursday Dec. 21, 2006 at his residence.

Mr. Raper was born on Oct. 11, 1922 in Cherokee County, to the late John Henry Raper and Nettie Cora Thomas Raper. He was veteran of WWII serving in the European Theatre. Mr. Raper was the co-founder of Raper’s. Mr. Raper was a deacon of Oakdale Baptist Church and an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jeanette Swan.

Mr. Raper is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rachel Buie Raper; daughters, Judith R. Main of Spencer, and Lynne R. Myers of Tyro; two sons, Daryl H. Raper of Spencer, and John F. Raper of Spencer; brother, Clyde W. Raper of China Grove; five grandchildren, Lynette Yates, Jody Lowman, Bobby Myers, Rachelle Rice, John Myers and eight great-grandchildren, Zack and Amber Swan, Courtny Myers, Emily and Andrew Lowman, Hunter Yates, Dominic Rice and Kody Myers.

Service: A Funeral service will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Oakdale Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Richard A. Gross and Dr. Dale Robertson. Burial will follow at Oakdale Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation: The family will receive friends today from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Summersett Funeral Home.

Memorials: Oakdale Baptist Church PO Box 233 Spencer, NC 28159, Rowan Regional Medical Center Home Health and Hospice 825-A W. Henderson St. Salisbury, NC 28144, and North Main Baptist Church 1501 N. Main St. Salisbury, NC 28144.