Elizabeth (Lib) Crawford Roper

Elizabeth (Lib) Crawford Roper, 88, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2014, at Steadman Hill.

A native of Maryville, Tennessee, Lib was born on July 25, 1926. After graduating from Maryville College with a major in biology, she moved to Johnson City and worked at East Tennessee State College (now ETSU) as secretary to the dean.

In 1951, she married Arthur D. Roper, Jr. After raising three children, she and Art enjoyed several years of traveling after his retirement.

Lib was a Kingsport resident from 1953 until her death. She was a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church where she was active in her Sunday School class and a Circle Leader, and she served in various community and volunteer organizations including Meals on Wheels, Contact Concern, Delphian, and Junior League.

She was preceded in death by her husband Art of 45 years; her parents Hugh Rankin and Adeline Murphy Crawford; brother Hugh Crawford, Jr.; and sisters Lillian McQueen and Ruth Lamon.

Surviving are daughters Janet Roper Guffin of Missoula, Montana, and Ruth (Ruthie) Roper Sanderson and husband Don of Kingsport; son A.D. (Del) Roper, III, of Piney Flats, Tennessee, and special friend Gail Crowe; sister-in-law Helen Roper Strassel of Eugene, Oregon; grandchildren Tim Guffin and wife Mary, Jenny Guffin Sousa and husband Mike, Katie Guffin, and Jordan Guffin; great-grandchildren Zoe, Mia, Kiel, and Ian Guffin, and Quinn and Luke Sousa; special friend Dave Coffey; and several close nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, January 3, 2014, at 1 p.m. at First Broad Street Methodist Church with Rev. Jack Weikel officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Steadman Hill for the loving care and support they gave Lib.

Those who wish may make memorial gifts to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660; Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804 or to any organization of their choice.