Minnie Lou Dent Raper

Minnie Lou Raper, 89, passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Minnie Lou was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on May 24, 1927. She grew up in Gastonia and began playing the violin in the 4th grade. After graduating high school, Minnie Lou earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Violin Performance from Winthrop College. She was a violinist with the Winston-Salem Symphony for fifty-three years. She taught orchestra in the public schools of Spartanburg, SC, High Point, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. She also conducted the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony. Minnie Lou was an exceptional educator. She was awarded the honor of ""Teacher of the Year"" and given the prestigious Music Educators National Conference ""Lifetime Achievement Award."" She will be one of the first inductees into the R.J. Reynolds HS Arts Hall of Fame. She built highly successful orchestra programs everywhere she taught. She dearly loved her students and her positive impact on thousands of students is immeasurable. Minnie Lou was also devoted to her family and her beloved church home, Highland Presbyterian Church. She taught the Youth Choirs at Highland for eight years while she stayed at home to raise her young children. After she retired from the public schools, she led her Sunday School class in singing hymns and formed a church orchestra. Minnie Lou was most proud of her children. She was a wonderful Mother. Minnie Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Starnes Dent and Victor Hugh Dent. She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Lou Rehder and her husband David Carl Rehder; her son, Victor William Rader and his wife Janet King, and their her two children, Kyle William Rader, and Nicole Christine Rader; and her brother, Robert Starnes Dent. A special thanks to Gwyn and Sharon and the other wonderful caregivers from the Home Instead Agency, and Minnie Lou's neighbor, Joanne Buckner, for loving her and making it possible for Minnie Lou to stay in her own home until she went to be with her Heavenly Father. A funeral service will be held at Highland Presbyterian Church at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. The family will visit with friends following the service at the church. Burial will be private at the request of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the Winston-Salem Symphony, the Winston-Salem Arts Council, or the Reynolds High School Arts Magnet Program in Minnie Lou Raper's memory. Online condolences may be left at www.hayworth-miller.com

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