Mrs. Mary Lee Roper

Mary Lee Flowers Roper, 92, died on October 25, 2017, at home with her family by her bedside. Born and raised in Lake City, SC, she was the daughter of W. Lee Flowers and Mary Frances Flowers. She married her high school sweetheart, Edward Y. Roper. They lived in Lake City for 52 years where they raised their 3 children before moving to Columbia in 1977. She was a graduate of Queens College in Charlotte, NC, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Following graduation, she taught school in Bamburg for one year before getting married. After she married, she became a full-time homemaker and mother. She later taught school in Lake City for 2 years. She was a loyal and active member in the Lake City United Methodist Church, where she served on many committees, taught Sunday school and sang in the church choir. Upon moving to Columbia, she was a faithful member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, sang in the choir for over 30 years and was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Women where twice she was named the Outstanding Woman of the Year. Mary Lee lived a life of love, integrity, and generosity. She was a loving mother to her children, grandchildren, and other family members. She had a profound compassion for all humankind. Her kind and caring ways defined her life. Mary Lee was predeceased by her husband, parents, and sisters (Sara Evans and Mildred Griffin). She is survived by her 3 children Lee Roper (Spartanburg), Mary Willa Lowry (Banks) (Columbia), Ed Roper (Karen) (Charleston); 6 grandchildren, Will Roper (Mandy), Mary Frances Stafford (Randolph), Mary Agnes Johnson(Jesse), Eliza Lowry, Paige Leonard (Doug), Beau Lowry (Erin), and 6 great-grandchildren; a niece, Sally Evans Davis; 2 nephews, Bill Evans and Jimmy Griffin; and our dear friend, Keitt Wannamaker. The family wants to thank her 3 caregivers, Susanne Mathis, Marilyn Hopkins and Audrey Duffie for their good care and kindness over these past 9 months. A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, October 29 at 4 o'clock at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church in Columbia. The family will greet friends in the church parlor immediately following the service. A visitation will be held from 5:30 until 7:30 PM on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at 3135 Grace Hill Road. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial to the Edward Y. Roper and Mary Lee Roper Family Endowment for Harvest Hope Food Bank at Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213, Columbia, SC 29204. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home is serving the family.

Tributes

Mrs. Mary Lee Roper

April 5, 1925 - October 25, 2017