Obituaries

Rosemary Meriwether Rapley

Photo of Rosemary Meriwether Rapley
Rosemary Meriwether Rapley of Fort Smith passed away from complications as a result of Alzheimer's Disease on Oct. 10, 2017, at Fianna Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation where she had lived for more than two years. Rosemary was born in Paragould, Ark., on Aug. 10, 1929, to Rosalie and Bill Meriwether and was the younger sister of a brother she adored, Bob Meriwether. She graduated from the University of Arkansas and was proud to be a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Rosemary was a devoted member of St. John's Episcopal Church where she served as chairman of the columbarium committee during its conception and construction in the garden of St. John's in 1993. She also served as chairman of the altar guild and was a member of the Vestry of St. John's. Over the years, Rosemary served as president of the boards of the Junior League of Fort Smith, Bonneville PTA and Friends of the Fort Smith Library. Rosemary also served as a member of the boards of the University of Arkansas Alumni Association, Fort Smith Children's Theatre, Fort Smith Girls' Club, Leadership Fort Smith, Bonneville House, and the PTA's of Ramsey and Southside. Rosemary had a passion for inspiring, mentoring and just having fun with children and young adults, including her time as P.E. teacher at the Bost School, where her students were rewarded for jobs well done by donning fur coats which she had collected from friends, or her stint as coach for the Fort Smith Girls' Club swim team, loudly encouraging the girls from the side of the pool holding a cigarette between her red lacquered fingernails. In later years, Rosemary's passion to support young adults ensured the endowment of a scholarship fund at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Rosemary's love for the outdoors was nurtured by her father in the fields and river bottoms of the St. Francis River in northeast Arkansas, and later matured among the rivers, streams and mountains of the Ozark National Forest. Canoeing, hiking, sailing or horseback riding were adventures Rosemary was always ready to experience with family and friends. One iconic characteristic of Rosemary was her whistle- a brash siren-like sound that could be heard across the entire neighborhood to call kids home, stop someone in their tracks if danger was near, quiet a large banquet hall or, in her final year, to call for a caregiver because her voice had been taken away. If you ever knew Rosemary, you knew her whistle. In addition to her parents, Rosemary was predeceased by her brother Bob and his wife, Sylvia, who she loved like a sister. Rosemary is survived by her husband of 66 years, Eugene G. "Gene" Rapley; her daughter Nancy Fagan (David) of Scottsdale, Ariz. and their sons, Winston Fagan (Lauren) and Staff Sergeant Carter Fagan (USAF); and her son E. Gilbert "Gil" Rapley Jr. (Leslie) of Atlanta, Ga., and their daughters, Anna Stephens and Nancy Rapley; and one great-grandson Daniel Stephens. If there was one important lesson that "Rosie" instilled in her children and grandchildren it was not to be bored. "If you're bored, you're a boring person." A memorial service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church at a later date. Memorials to Rosemary can be made to Bost, Inc., 1801 S. 74th St., Fort Smith, 72903 or the Ozark Society, P.O. Box 2914, Little Rock, 72203. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Published November 5, 2017

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