Doris Lee Roper
PHOENIX – Doris Lee Roper, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on Thursday November 10th at the age of 91 years old. She succumbed to complications from a stroke and died peacefully in her home surrounded by family.
Doris was born the second of two children to Oscar and Dolly Tarrant on July 11, 1931 in Carrier Mills, Illinois. After growing up in Carrier Mills, she married Patrick Roper at the age of 19, and together they had two children, Ellen (Becky) and William (Ted). Shortly thereafter, they moved to Phoenix and purchased a home together in Arcadia on Whitton Ave. Doris and Pat raised their children in this home, and she lived there until the date of her passing.
Doris began her career as a cosmetologist, and upon arriving in Phoenix, worked at Mountain Shadows Resort. While raising her children and working full-time, she graduated from Arizona State University with an education degree, and eventually obtained her Master’s in Education from ASU, as well. Upon graduating, she began working as an elementary school teacher at Larry C. Kennedy Elementary School in Central Phoenix, where she taught for 24 years. She was a beloved teacher, and loved getting reacquainted with former students as she frequently ran into them across the valley.
Doris enjoyed maintaining a garden, and loved attending Phoenix Suns games with her husband Pat. Together, they were long-time season ticket holders for the Suns when they played at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband Pat, in 1988. Pat was the love of her life, and Doris missed him dearly as she lived the last 34 years of her life without him.
Doris loved spending quality time individually with each of her children and grand-children. She enjoyed going shopping with Becky, and spent time with Ted almost daily, as he lived just a few houses away. She frequently called her older brother in Florida, Dee Tarrant, to keep in touch with Dee and his late wife, Helen. Doris loved hearing stories about her nieces and nephews. In her elder years, she enjoyed regularly visiting her great-granddaughter Madison, who also lived just a few houses away.
Doris Lee Roper is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar & Dolly Tarrant; and husband, Pat Roper. Doris is survived by her brother, Dee Tarrant; children, Becky Wolf (Larry), Ted Roper (Jeanne); grandchildren Jennifer Malone (Joe), Melissa Verrier (Andrew), Teddi Roper (Christian), and Patrick Wolf; & 2 great-grandchildren, Madison Malone and Andrea Verrier.
A celebration of life will be held at 3pm on Sunday November 20th at Shepherd of the Hills United Church of Christ located at 5524 East Lafayette Blvd. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley at https://www.hov.org. Her family was touched by the compassion of this organization when caring for Doris during her last days.