Sarah Beaty Ropp

     Mrs. Sarah Beaty Ropp, 96, of Raeford, NC, died on Monday, August 7th, in her home. Mrs. Ropp was born on June 5, 1927, in Lancaster, South Carolina, to the late Reverend Walter Kirkpatrick Beaty and Sarah Wilson Beaty. She was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, the Reverend Doctor John Conway Ropp, her daughter, Sarah Cecelia Ropp, her granddaughter, Elizabeth Cashwell McNeill, and her brothers, Walter K. Beaty, Jr., and James Wilson Beaty.

     Mrs. Ropp grew up in Mt. Holly, NC. During her senior year of high school, she moved with her family to Columbia, SC, where her father became pastor of Arsenal Hill Presbyterian Church.

     Mrs. Ropp graduated from Dreher High School in 1944. She graduated from Erskine College in Due West, SC, in 1948, having majored in Bible and Social Studies and serving as President of Women’s Student Government her senior year. She married John Ropp in June of that same year. They lived in Columbia until 1957 when he was called into the ministry and they moved with their four children to Atlanta where he attended Columbia Theological Seminary. Mrs. Ropp served as President of the Seminary Wives’ Club during her husband’s senior year.

     As Dr. Ropp served pastorates in Iva and Conway, SC, and in Raeford, Mrs. Ropp served as a teacher and school librarian. She retired in 1989 as librarian at Hoke County High School in Raeford.

     Mrs. Ropp is survived by her children: John Conway Ropp, Jr. and his wife Linda of Columbia, SC; Robert Beaty Ropp and his wife Kathy of Conway, SC; and Miriam Ropp McNeill and her husband, Neal of Raeford; grandchildren: Sarah Ropp Cathcart and her husband Robert of Hickory Tavern, SC; John Conway Ropp III, and his wife Caroline of Hartsville, SC; Emily Ropp Terry and her husband Joe of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and Katharine Beaty McNeill of Raeford; great-grandchildren: Robert Cathcart III and his wife, Campbell, Sarah Anna “Sally”, Margaret, and Charlie Cathcart; Elizabeth, John IV, David, Mari Grace, and Sarah Catherine Ropp; and Anna, Joseph III, and Will Terry; and a sister-in-law, Anita Law Beaty of Charleston, SC.

     A graveside service for Mrs. Ropp will be held on Saturday, August 12th, at 11:00 a.m. at Raeford Cemetery with Dr. Robert D. Cathcart, Jr. and Dr. R. Shane Owens officiating.

    Visitation will take place at the cemetery immediately following the service.

    The family wishes to thank Liberty Hospice for their kindness and excellent care of Mrs. Ropp.

    Memorials may be made to Raeford Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1570, 128 W. Edinborough Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376.

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