Leon Roper

Belden Francis Leon Roper, 88 died Sunday, September 12, 2010, at North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born to Gladys and Leonard Roper on June 27, 1922, in the Unity community. They soon moved to Lee County, and he lived in Belden for the remainder of his life. He was a graduate of Belden High School. He married Mary Norton of Ripley, MS, on April 4, 1944. She preceded him in death on February 18, 2003. He was a long-time member of Belden Baptist Church and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled Veterans of America. In World War II, he served in the 10th Armored Division under Gen. George S. Patton. He fought in France, Belgium, and Germany before being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart. After returning from the war, he farmed and owned and drove a school bus, which was the last private school bus in Lee County. Later, he owned Ropers Well Repair and then drove for the Third District of Lee County before retirement.
Services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues, with Dr. Don Baggett officiating. Burial will be in Lee memorial Cemetery.
He is survived by his daughter, Bonnie Webb, and husband Jerry of Belden; a grandson, Trice Webb, and wife Laurie of Tupelo; a granddaughter, Tracey Williamson, and husband Nolan of Madison, MS; five great-grandchildren, Allison Webb of Saint Petersburg, Florida, Taylor Barefoot and Katelynn Barefoot of Tupelo, and Mary Leigh Williamson and Brad Williamson of Madison, MS; a brother, W. C. Roper, of Belden; sisters Dollie Whitney of Osceola, Arkansas and May Morris of West Memphis, Arkansas; a brother-in-law, Will Edd Norton and wife Laura of Ripley, MS; a sister-in-law, Opal Mauney, and husband T. A. of Lewisville, Texas; special friends, Mickey and Ken Scott of Baldwyn, MS; and faithful caregivers, Nancy Kelly and Rebecca McClain.
Pallbearers will be C. J. Roper, Johnny Webb, Eddie Norton, Jay Morris, Ken Scott, and Reuben Greer.
Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until service time on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Belden Baptist Church, P.O. Box 92, Belden, MS 38826 or a charity of the givers choice.