James Elkin Raper

James Elkin Raper, 99, of Osceola, passed away April 22, 2024. He was born in Belden, Miss., on Aug. 2, 1924, to Dexter and Fannie Raper. He was a lifetime farmer in Mississippi County. Elkin proudly serviced his country during Word War II in the United States Army Corp of Engineers. He was inducted into service July 1943, where he took Infantry Basic Training at Camp Roberts, Calif. He was shipped overseas in March 1944 as an infantry replacement to the Pacific Arena, assigned to 1398 Engineer Corp. He was in the Saipan Campaign when U.S. took over the island. He then went to Okinawa, Japan, where he remained until World War II was over. After three years in service he was discharged as a master sergeant. He was a member of Luxora First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school director, sang in the choir, and served on many committees. Elkin served on the Luxora School Board and the Rivercrest School Board for 20 years.

He is survived by daughters, Irene Jackson, Barbara (John Madigan) Wright and Dianna (Damon) Clauss; son, Dwayne (Jeanie) Raper; daughter-in-law, Pat Raper; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister-in-law, Margaret Raper; extended family, Emmanuel Brown and Louis Dyche; many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 80 years, Idell Raper; parents; son, Jimmy Raper; brothers, Ottis Raper, Lenoard Raper and Lawrence Raper; sisters, Blanche Green, Bessie Brown and Bernice Ritchey; sons-in-law, Phillip Wright and Paul Jackson.

In lieu of flowers persons may make donations to Luxora First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 580, Luxora, AR 72358.

Visitation will be held 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 29, at Roller-Swift Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Mississippi County Memorial Gardens. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com