Alice Raper
Alice Ann was born to Robert, Bob, and Velma Hutchings Shirley on Dec. 28, 1944 in Hugo, Okla. She was the youngest of three daughters, and from a young age, she was full of life! She was the baby sister to Francis and Donna, but she was always the energetic tomboy. She never loved school, but she was very active and had many friends. She graduated from Hugo High School in 1963.
Alice worked at the Wells Lamont Glove Factory for a number of years. This was a great fit for her as she had a gift for sewing, which she inherited from her mother. She loved to crochet, sew and quilt. Later in life, she learned to tat, which is a lost art she remembered her grandmother doing. She loved creating small pieces that she could share with others. She loved to work puzzles and would invite anyone to come and work one with her or share or swap them with others. She often worked puzzles and framed them and then gave them as gifts.
She married the love of her life and her best friend, A.J., on Feb. 9, 1973. They loved spending time together, whether it was driving around in the pasture or eating popcorn and watching TV. There was always love and laughter. She was extremely proud of her three children: Robert, Roger and Rhonda, and her grandchildren. She loved to attend every event she could and was so proud of each and every one. There was never a doubt about how she felt toward any of them. She was always telling them how proud she was of them and their accomplishments. She never failed to tell her loved ones that she loved them.
Alice worked for the Hugo Public Schools for 32 years. She began as the secretary at Robert E. Lee Elementary and once the system consolidated, she worked many years beside her dear friend, Tammy, at the Early Childhood Center. Miss Alice cared for many students through her years with the school.
Alice was a great Christian wife and mother. She taught Bible classes, worked with the Mission Printing program, helped with the clothes closet, visited the sick and shut-in members of the church, and helped in any way she could whenever possible. She loved to sing hymns and always kept a song book at home. She was always so proud of the heritage of our family in the church. She always thought of herself as a shy person, but she truly loved people. She set such a great example that all three of her children made careers in the public also loving people. Alice could literally do anything she set her mind to. She made clothes for her children, including prom and wedding dresses; she grew a garden and canned with her mother and sisters. She never failed to cook for her family including Sunday dinner, hosting Thanksgiving for a huge extended family, and making sure everyone had their favorite birthday dinner every year. She would even cook all of the wild game that the boys caught or killed. She was a beloved aunt and cousin. She loved to host out-of-town family whenever they came for a visit. It didn’t matter which side of the family, everyone was welcome in her home.
Alice passed away on Aug. 23, 2025 in Paris, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Velma; her sister, Francis; her husband, A.J., and her two grandchildren: Courtney and Peyton. She is survived by her sister, Donna Callaway and husband, Von of Hugo; son, Robert Rapier and wife, Veronica of Chandler, Ariz.; son, Roger Raper and wife, Fieriel of Hugo; daughter, Rhonda McCarter and husband, Jeff of Hugo; grandchildren: Kelsey James and husband, Corey, Kameron Raper, Luke Rapier, Olivia McCarter, Payne McCarter, and E.J. Duarte; great-grandchildren: Christian and Emmy James; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 in the 4th & Jackson Church of Christ in Hugo.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 in the Prater- Lampton-Mills & Coffey Chapel. Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.praterlampton.com.
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