Tupelo – Carol “Junior” Roper, 78, of Tupelo, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026, surrounded by the family he loved so dearly. Born on November 5, 1947, to Walter Carol “W.C.” Roper and Blanche Young Roper, Junior grew up in Belden and graduated from Tupelo High School in 1966.

Following graduation, Junior proudly served in the Army Reserve before beginning a distinguished banking career. He went on to further his education through the Mississippi School of Banking at Ole Miss and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, graduating in 1983. Over the course of more than four decades, he served in leadership roles with First Tennessee, People’s Bank, First Citizens National Bank, Bank of Mississippi, and BancorpSouth, building a reputation across Mississippi and Tennessee for integrity, wisdom, and servant leadership.

His banking career brought him to Booneville in 1978, and in 1984 he was named president of Booneville’s Bank of Mississippi. This began one of the most meaningful chapters of his life, as Booneville quickly became home.

Alongside his professional leadership, Junior became deeply involved in the community. He held every office within the Lions Club, including chairman of the Sight Committee, helping coordinate vision screenings for students and collecting donated eyeglasses throughout Prentiss County schools.

He later served as president of the Booneville Rotary Club, where his leadership and service were widely respected. Following his presidency, he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow through the Rotary Club in recognition of his dedication to “Service Above Self.”

In 1990, Junior received the United Way of Prentiss County’s Service Award for his commitment to improving the lives of others. He was also named Citizen of the Year in 2001 by the Junior Auxiliary of Booneville in recognition of his outstanding service to the community.

During his years in Booneville, Junior devoted much of his time to mentoring and investing in young people. He coached youth football and baseball teams, emphasizing discipline, character, leadership, and sportsmanship as much as the game itself. He served on the Board of Directors for the Prentiss County Boy Scouts and as a Guardian member, helping guide and influence many young men, including his own sons, both of whom achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1988, the Prentiss County chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America named him Business Person of the Year for his mentorship and dedication to students.

His leadership also extended across the region through numerous civic and professional boards, including Baptist Memorial Hospital-Booneville, Northeast Mississippi Community College, the University of Tennessee at Martin advisory board, the Prentiss County Development Association, and the Franks Foundation, which provides scholarships to local students. As chairman of the Board of Directors at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Booneville for many years, he played a key role in its financial growth, accreditation, and continued service to the community.

Later in his career, Junior served as Regional President for BancorpSouth in Jackson, Tennessee, where he continued to lead, build relationships, and mentor young bankers throughout the region. After years of service there, he and Kaye returned home to Tupelo in 2005. In 2012, Junior retired from BancorpSouth.

Despite his many accomplishments, Junior’s greatest devotion was always to his family. He married the love of his life, Kaye Gibson Roper, and together they shared 57 beautiful years of marriage built on faith, loyalty, and unconditional love. Together they created a home filled with warmth, laughter, and a deep commitment to family, centered around gatherings, holidays, ballgames, and everyday life together.

Nothing brought Junior greater joy than being “Daddy” and “Dobble.” He never missed an opportunity to encourage his children and grandchildren, cheer them on, and remind them how deeply they were loved. He lived by his guiding belief that "the true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good", and he reflected that principle in every part of his life.

A faithful servant of the Lord, Junior served as a deacon and Chairman of the Deacons at First Baptist Church Booneville and remained active in church leadership throughout his life. After returning to Tupelo, he became a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church, where his faith continued to guide his life and service to others.

Junior also enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. He loved traveling with his family, especially their many trips to Disney, fixing almost anything, caring for a perfectly kept lawn, golfing, and most of all, simply being surrounded by the people he loved.

Known lovingly as “Dobble” and “Junner” to his grandchildren, there was nowhere he would rather be than with his family. His legacy of faith, humility, generosity, and servant leadership will continue to live on through them.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Kaye Gibson Roper; his children, Ron Roper (Tara), Ryan Roper (Shelley), and Kaycee Burrell (Benjamin); and his beloved grandchildren, Lily Roper, Thomas Roper, Sadie Roper, Jack Walter Roper, Drake Burrell, and Rose Burrell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Carol “W.C.” Roper and Blanche Young Roper, as well as his beloved mother-in-law, Christine Graves Gibson, and father-in-law, Howard Francis Gibson.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church.

A Celebration of Life honoring Mr. Junior will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. John Boler, Dr. Lynn Jones, and Dr. Bryant Barnes officiating. Private family graveside will follow at Tupelo Memorial Park. Pegues Funeral Directors have been entrusted with the care of his arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Michael Gibson, Mike Gibson, Josh Herndon, Jay Morris, Mike Pate, Trice Webb, Scotty West, and Don Whitney.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dad’s loving caregivers: Teresa Adams, Emma Bowers, Ann Crockett, Shonda Hampton, Montanna Holland, Elsie Smith, and his exceptional nurses at Sanctuary Hospice for their compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice or Calvary Baptist Church.

Though our hearts are broken, we rejoice in knowing Junior’s faith was steadfast, and his greatest hope was in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. His legacy of love, faith, generosity, and devotion to family will continue for generations to come.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be left at www.PeguesFuneralHome.com.