Stephen "Steve" Wilson Raper
March 16, 1948 ~ December 28, 2023
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ROCKY MOUNT – Stephen "Steve" Wilson Raper, age 75, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 28, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born in Durham County, NC on March 16, 1948, he was the son of the late Dr. Horace Wilson Raper and Elizabeth Marie Brookshire Raper. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Winnifred “Winnie” Adcock Raper.
A lifelong learner, he attended the University of North Carolina for his undergrad and graduate degrees and later receiving his commissioning in the United States Navy, having served aboard the USS Chewaucan from 1972 – 1974 during the Vietnam War. The lessons he gathered through his education and service to his country provided him the foundation and calling to a life dedicated to public service, where later in life he assumed various leadership roles in the cities of Hendersonville, Tennessee and three cities in North Carolina Henderson, Kinston and Rocky Mount.
Steve’s love for all things Tarheels, his passion led him to frequent two locations on campus, Kenan Memorial Stadium where he spent countless Saturday afternoons tailgating with friends and cheering the Heels to victory and the Wilson Library where he would review and add to the Southern Historical Collection housed within the library.
In 1994, Steve was chosen to serve as the next City Manager of Rocky Mount and over the next 16 years, Steve provided tireless stewardship through a myriad of challenges. Challenges that included rebuilding after Hurricane Floyd in 1999, the Rocky Mount Sports Complex, and the efforts to build the Braswell Memorial Library, implement a City Emergency Plan and Center, and build the Imperial Center for the Arts and Sciences to serve the community.
During Steve’s retirement his love of history became front and center. His passion for history Steve would often say was born watching his father, a retired Professor of History at Tennessee Tech University, ply his craft. Steve dedicated his time to learn more about the history of Rocky Mount, Edgecombe, and Nash Counties’ city leadership. During that time, he wrote several books highlighting the rich history of Rocky Mount.
Steve is survived by his daughters Cathy Chaffin (Doyte) of Evans, GA; Elizabeth Jones (Robert) of Fayetteville, NC, and Rayna Owen of Rocky Mount, NC; his brother Ted Raper of Robinsonville, MS; his grandchildren Courtney Chaffin, Tyler Chaffin, and Ashley Ingram (Tyler); his great grandchild, Brooks; and many other loved ones.
A Celebration of Steve's Life will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 1:00 PM in the Sanctuary of Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Ave, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, with Dr. Jody Wright officiating. Visitation with the family will follow the service in the Sugg Foyer of the Kincheloe Building of Lakeside Baptist Church.
A Private Family Inurnment Service will take place at the Columbarium at Lakeside Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Steve’s memory to the Braswell Memorial Library 727 N Grace St., Rocky Mount, NC 27894 or Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
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He was good man! God rest his soul!
Steve was a fantastic person, manager, and mentor! I learned so much from him during my time with the City of Kinston (1989-1990) that have helped throughout my career. There were many things I respected about Steve. At the top of the list was that he was comfortable letting people be themselves. This helped create strong teams and sent a wonderful message to others that it’s OK be different and approach situations in non-traditional ways as long as you thought things through. He was serious but also a lot of fun. On more than one occasion we placed HORSE on the Nerf basketball goal that was in my office. Those were fun times. Steve was also there for guidance whenever challenging situations came up. I always saved calling him for advice when the toughest problems came up and there is never a shortage of unique and complex problems that arise for local government managers. Thank you Steve!! To Steve’s family, the thoughts of many in the local government and UNC MPA family are with you.
Eric Peterson
I remember helping Mr. Raper as he picked out historical items at Braswell Mem. Library. I’m thankful for his help for the New Braswell Mem. Library. I was privaliged to watch it be built and work there 20 years after being at the old BML for 6yrs.
I remember Steve from our city management days in NC way back in the last century. Steve was one of the good guys, and he was a consequential city manager making meaningful differences in the lives of those residing within the cities he managed. I offer my condolences to his children and extended family. I am so very glad I knew Steve…
My heart is broken I am soosorry for the lost of such a wonderful person of our City May God bless the family🙏🏼💜MaeParker
I first met Steve in 1974 when we became classmates in the UNC MPA Program, and we have stayed in touch since then in our public service careers. Steve was a first rate professional as a manager and was an active, giving leader in each of the communities he served. He will be truly missed by all that new him.
Ed Kitchen
Retired City Manager – Greensboro, NC
Steve was a good friend and peer, starting in 1974 with our entry into the UNC-CH MPA program, and continuing throughout our professional careers. While our contacts were infrequent after we left campus, it was like we never lost a step when we did see or talk to each other again. As with all of my classmates, we will be forever grateful for our time together, and will sincerely miss his calm nature, smile and warmth. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Steve Raper Family.. Sorry we cannot make this service. We are donating this grove of 3 trees in his memory. David & Sharon Brookshire
I have so much respect for Steve for his professionalism and his commitment to local government in North Carolina. Also, he was an incredibly nice person – whose heart was always in the right place. Thanks Steve for your service.
Craig Honeycutt – City Manager; Burlington
Steve was a great person. He was also a great leader, not only in the communities he served but of the city management profession. He will be missed. Brian Hiatt, Retired Concord City Manager
I met Steve in 1975 when we were both working for the City of Rocky Mount. He was an intern in his second year of UNC’s MPA Program. It’s the first time I’d heard about the Program. Thanks to Steve, I entered the program in 1982. It was one of the the best decisions I ever I met Steve in 1975 when we were both working for the City of Rocky Mount. He was an intern in his second year of the MPA Program. It’s the first time I’d heard about the Program. I entered the UNC program in 1982. It was the best I decision I ever made. Thank you, Steve, for how you helped me and hundreds of others over your career as a city manager.
I met Steve in 1977 as I entered the UNC MPA Program and have kept in contact over the many years. The Rocky Mount citizens and the City employees are very fortunate to have one of the best city managers in the profession as your leader. The culmination of his many years of experience greatly benefited your community. Steve was well respected, liked and admired by peers across the country in the city management business. His passing is a great loss, but no doubt he always gave more than he received. J Russell Allen, former City Manager of Raleigh, NC