Hazel Raper Smith

Obituary: Kannapolis, NC - Hazel Raper Smith, age 94, entered into heaven on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at CMC-NorthEast, Concord, NC. Born March 28, 1921 in Murphy, Cherokee County, NC, Hazel was the daughter of the late Marshall Raper and Adenia Beaver Raper. She moved to Kannapolis in the early 1930s and was one of 20 children born to Marshall Raper; one of 10 born to both Marshall and Adenia. Hazel was employed by the former Cannon Mills Company, Plant One, # 5 Spinning Room, for 43 years until her retirement. She was a member of Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, Kannapolis, NC (since 1939), where she was active in Sunday school for many years. Her family and friends fondly remember her love of cooking, baking, sewing and gardening. She took special delight in feeding and watching her birds, especially cardinals. Hazel had a strong love for her family and Cherokee heritage; she visited her mountain home and family as often as possible. In addition to her parents, Hazel is preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, George T. Smith, and her siblings, Martin, Effie, Ethel, Alvin, Clinton, Eva, Bonnie, Taft, Rose, Clinton, Frank, Lloyd, Atha, Howard and Claudia. Her surviving siblings are Charlene (Raper) Scott, Horace (Chuck) Raper and Ronia Raper. Hazel is also survived by her son, George M. (Sonny) Smith of Mint Hill, NC; grandchildren, Maureen (Reenie) Smith Davis of Charlotte, NC, Cassie Smith of Hilton Head, SC, and Robert M. (Buddy) Smith of Charlotte, NC; great-grandchildren, Saundra Bumgarner, Shelbie Bumgarner, Connor Davis and Sidney Bumgarner; and many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family. The funeral service will be held Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, Kannapolis, NC, and officiated by Rev. Phil Goble Jr., Senior Pastor. Visitation will be held previous to the funeral from 12-2 p.m. at the church. Interment will be at West Lawn Memorial Park, 1350 S. Main St., China Grove, NC, immediately after the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts may be made to the "Joy Group" of Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, 2204 Summit Ave., Kannapolis, NC 28081. Online condolences may be made at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com. Whitley's Funeral Home, Kannapolis, NC, is serving the family.
Visitation: 12:00 to 2:00 PM Saturday May 2, 2015 Blackwelder Park Baptist Church

Service: 2:00 PM Saturday May 2, 2015 Blackwelder Park Baptist Church

Interment: West Lawn Memorial Park