Lilly Faye Raper was born October 30, 1933 in Wagoner, Oklahoma to Alvin Ray and Fern Lucille (Dorr) Burk. In 1950 she met her husband, Eddie Raper, while she was working in a diner in Hulbert, Oklahoma. They were married in Tahlequah, OK and began their life together. In 1952 they moved to Arizona and lived for a time in a mud house. Their move west continued in 1954 when they moved to California. They made their home there until 1980, working in the agricultural industry. Lilly Faye was not afraid of hard work. She picked cotton while her husband plowed the fields. It was while she was picking potatoes one day that she met Buck Owens.

Lilly Faye was always very involved in her church, the Freewill Baptist Church in Clarkesville near Porter, Oklahoma. She worked for many years in the home of Jerry Nelms in Coweta, Oklahoma. She loved to bake, and often baked muffins for her coworkers. Another talent Lilly Faye had was sewing. Her daughter, Tonopah, is blessed with the memory of how her mother often handmade many of her clothes while she was growing up.

Lilly Faye departed this life to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at her home in Coweta, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Fern Burk; her husband, Eddie Raper; her son, Ronnie Raper; brothers, Charles Burk, Jessie and wife Ruth Burk; sisters, Grace Ella Sowers, Dorothy Cope and Betty Ann Sellers.

Her family will always cherish her memory and her example of living life to its fullest, guided by Christian faith. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Tonopah and Bobby Zeigler of the home in Coweta, OK; son and daughter-in-law, Doyle and Kristie Raper of Van, TX; grandchildren, Justin and Lydia Raper of Tahachapi, CA, Rebecca Raper of Bakersfield, CA, Claire and Justin Vinson of Elgin, SC, Hannah and Alvaro Marinez of Columbia, SC; Sgt. Maisy Jane and Oleksandra Kunytskyy of Fountain, CO; great-grandchildren, Ronnie Elizabeth Raper, Margie Faye Raper, Lilah Vinson, Henry Vinson, Percy Martinez, Vivienne Mae Kuntskyy and Tatianna Jane Kunytskyy; step-granddaughter, Maggie Romo of Van, TX and Vicky Romo of Van, TX; step great-granddaughter, Ivy Grace Romo of Ven, TX; other extended family and friends.

A visitation will be held from 1-4 pm Sunday, April 30 at the Mallett Funeral Home in Wagoner, OK.

The funeral service to celebrate a life well lived will be at 11 am Monday, May 1, 2023 in the Chapel at Mallett Funeral Home.

Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Wagoner, OK.