Dwayne Raper

Dwayne Raper, 77, of Ashdown, Ark., died Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Hot Springs, Ark. Born Feb. 15, 1947, in Osceola, Ark., he attended Victoria, Ark. Elementary and Luxora, Ark. Jr. High and High School. After graduating with the 1965 class, he attended the University of Arkansas, majoring in Agronomy, where he met his wife of 58 years, Jeanie Wright. Following his time at the University, he enlisted in the United States National Guard, where he served for eight years. While Jeanie was attending UAMS School of Pharmacy, Dwayne moved to Ash-down and began farming and ranching. He served on several boards in the community including the Little River Soil Conservation Board for 30 years, the Red River Commission and the Southwest Arkansas Water District. He and Jeanie owned The Corner Pharmacy in Ashdown for 36 years and were co-owners and partners of the Fish Bowl Restaurant for many years with Sue and Smokey Surber. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Ashdown where he was heavily involved with many church projects. His very favorite thing to do was pheasant hunting in South Dakota where he made lifelong friendships. He would spend two months planning his trips and telling stories of previous trips.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elkin and Idell Raper; one brother, Jimmy Raper; and two brothers-in-law, Paul Jackson and Phillip Wright.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanie Raper, of Ash-down; one daughter, An-gela Bernardi (Jay); three sisters, Irene Jackson, of Bryan, Texas, Barbara Madigan (John), of St. Louis, Mo., and Dianna Clauss (Damon), of Plain-field, Ill.; one grandson, Clark Wright Clevenger, of Ashdown; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Ashdown.

Funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. with Butch Riddle and D.J. Pope officiating. Burial will follow in Ashdown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to First Baptist Church, 70 N. Park Ave., Ashdown, AR 71822.