of Jonesboro, AR

December 20, 1929 - February 1, 2022

Gloria Ethel Rogers Rapert passed away on February 1, 2022. Gloria was born in New York City on December 20, 1929. From her earliest moments, Gloria developed a resilience and determination to provide for herself and those around her. Raised by her grandmother and step-grandfather, she graduated from New York City public school # 36 then joined a secretarial pool where she met Janie, a new friend who would change the direction of her life. When Janie decided to leave her job to return to her hometown of Osceola, Gloria decided to join her. Traveling by bus across the country, she soon arrived in the small eastern Arkansas town that she would come to love and call home. In Osceola, she met and married Jimmy Rapert.

It's hard to imagine that there could be someone in Osceola who didn't cross paths with Gloria Rapert; as her son Jerry says: if she knew you at all, you were her friend. Mrs. Rapert worked for the Osceola Municipal Court system, serving as municipal court clerk for the Honorable Judges Jim Hyatt, Janet Moore and Lee Fergus for many years before retiring to care for her husband Jimmy Rapert. Throughout, she raised their children while teaching herself to organize and maintain business books for others, beginning by taking care of all the accounting and information for her husband's business. For many years, she also worked for Amin and Naseem Amarshi, handling the books for their multiple businesses and she considered them family.

Gloria learned the tax system through her work at H&R Block, ultimately starting her own tax business in her home and turning her kitchen table into one covered in the receipts and taxes of literally thousands in Osceola. Stories abound, dating to the mid-seventies, of the filings she prepared each year, her children returning from their schoolday to find their home full of strangers and friends, all relying on her hard work. She loved to reminisce that while she didn't need much time to learn each individual tax situation, she would spend hours with each, sharing stories and photos of her children and grandchildren, and treating each client as part of her extended family. Indeed, for decades, the ''tax lady'' of 406 West Hale was quick to share her love of family and Osceola with all who walked through her door. We love knowing that her cheerfulness and quick smile brightened the day of so many. She continued the tax work until she moved to Jonesboro to be near family in 2015, although she never stopped wanting to go home to Osceola. Until the end, she helped in her children's businesses, making deliveries and working on the books. Throughout, her goal was always to help others, to serve others. By doing so, she was a great example through her willingness to work hard, sacrifice in order to support those she loved, and always think of others first.

She was honest, selfless, and loved being with people and her many pets. Being with her meant that time would be filled with stories, often laughing until you cried. Bingo at American Legion, casino trips, or showing off raccoon tricks it was all fun as long as she could be doing these things with her family. And most adventures involved singing, her love of show tunes and sweet voice popping up at all times including even her final days in the hospital.

Gloria had 7 children, 14 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. She is survived by Nancy Harkinson, Linda (Fred) Johnston, Rebel Nichols, Robin Quick, Jimmy (Molly) Rapert, Jerry (Stephanie) Rapert. She is also survived by grandchildren Brian, James Brandon, Jonathan, Nicholas, Jase, Luke, Jonah, Abby, Marie, Jeb, Jude, and Erica. She was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Rapert, her daughter Retha Hattenhauer, and grandsons Gregory and David.

While her 92 years were filled with moves that took her from New York to Florida, Illinois, and California, her love for the people of Osceola is what makes it fitting for her to return, one final time, to this town she holds dear. Her ashes will be placed near the love of her life, Jimmy Rapert. A memorial will be held at Roller-Swift Funeral Home, Highway 61 South in Osceola on Sunday, February 20th at 1pm. We would love for you to join us in celebrating her life. Whether you called her mom, friend, Grandma, or Cuckoo we know you will miss her as we do. Donations in her honor may be sent to the Osceola Animal Shelter, 2501 W. Semmes, Osceola, AR 72370.

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