Betty Jean Harrill Roper, 90, of Lake City, passed away Friday, June 5, 2015 at the Willowbrook Assisted Living Facility in Lake City. Betty was born January 1, 1925 in Forest City, North Carolina, one of eleven children of the late William Burdette and Myrtle Rose Small Harrill. Betty graduated from Rutherford School of Nursing in North Carolina and was a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corp, something she was always extremely proud of. She moved to Lake City in 1947 and began her nursing career working at Lake Shore Hospital, where she became the Director of Nursing. She also worked for Dr. L.G. Landrum in private practice. That same year, 1947, Betty met and married her late husband of 55 years, Elmar A. Roper. She later worked at the VA Hospital and retired in 1987 after 31 years of service. After retirement she continued to work in the medical field as an instructor in the Patient Care Assistant Program at the Lake City Community College.

Betty had many interests and boundless energy. She was a charter member of Parkview Baptist Church which she attended until she was no longer physically able to do so. She loved playing bridge, playing her organ, dancing, all animals, and helping anyone in need. She had a green thumb and was especially gifted at growing gorgeous Christmas cactus'. She loved her growing family, especially her five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She adored her family and was happiest when she was with them. She also loved her dear sisters. They talked often by phone, and met annually for many years for family reunions in their home state of North Carolina. She is survived by four of them; Flo Stines, Martha Jo Deal, Millie Burgess, and Gail Hecht.

Betty is also survived by her daughter, Mary Kathryn "Kathy" Yanda (David), Lake City; her son, Michael A. Roper (Patti), Lake City; five grandchildren, Jennifer Whitaker, Kentucky, Jason Roper (Jayme), Tallahassee, Caroline Tindale (Glenn), Tallahassee, Matthew Roper, Tallahassee and William Roper, Lake City; six great-grandchildren, River, Charlie, Allie Blay, Luke, Meghan and Lindsay.

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 4:00 PM at Parkview Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Tatem, Pastor officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service at the church from 3-4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Citrus County and Nature Coast Hospice.