CHESAPEAKE, VA Lois Imogene Napier, affectionately known as MEMANO, passed away peacefully on Friday July 20, 2012, following a very courageous battle with many conditions that she looked head on to for more than four years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, an expectant great grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ with all of her heart, soul, mind, and being.
Imogene was born on July 13, 1930 in Anson Co., NC to the late Willis Oscar and Mary Ross Meyers Rayfield. The youngest of seven children, she was predeceased by four brothers, Carl, Hubert, Virgil, and Billy Rayfield, and a sister, Thelma Rayfield who was the Matriarch of the Rayfield family following the loss of their mother. The daughter of a North Carolina Dairy Farmer, she worked around the family dairy as she was growing up. She was one of only 16 to graduate from Deep Creek High School in Wadesboro, NC. She answered God's call in her life to full time ministry, when she married the Rev. Henry V. Napier on May 7, 1950. She served hand in hand with her new husband at the Manteo Baptist Church from their marriage until 1956. In 1956 they were called to the Center Hill Baptist Church and Great Hope Baptist Churches in Tyner, NC where they would minister until 1963. On September 19, 1958, a son was born who she loved, cherished, and cared for with every ounce of her being. In November of 1963, God called them to the Raleigh Heights Baptist Church in Chesapeake where they would minister until Dec. 25, 1988. On December 5, 1994 her granddaughter, Abigail Raye Napier was born. Her new role as grandmother was one that she loved and cherished, thanking God for the opportunity to be a part of this new life brought to her family. In the four churches where she ministered with Rev. Napier, she was active in all facets of the church's ministry such as W.M.U., the various circles of each church, taught Sunday School, and was always a member of the Adult Choirs. Mrs. Napier served for many years as associate secretary at Raleigh Heights and along with her husband founded the Helpful Club, which was a ministry for the senior members of the church. She was the ears for Rev. Napier, as his hearing continued to decline since his military service in World War II to the point of profound deafness. She would often visit church members and their families with her husband. She strived along with him to bring love, joy, peace and hope to those in time of loss, illness, or just to say to them that somebody in this world cares about you. Every morning at our breakfast table, she would read the devotions from the bible and numerous Christian publications, and would pray for missionaries both near and a far. The prayer lists of Raleigh Heights Baptist Church and Rosemont Christian Church were always part of her morning prayers as our family would prepare for the day ahead. She was the true definition of a pastor's wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. One of her greatest pleasures was caring for her family and making sure that her home was comfortable and cared for. In November of 2001, she would welcome a daughter-in-law, Shannon and two wonderful grandsons, Patrick and Sean, who she would love and care for as her own.

Her legacy will be cherished by her husband of more than sixty-two years, Rev. Henry V. Napier; her son, Stephen P. Napier and his wife, Shannon; her granddaughter, Abigail R. Napier; her grandsons, Sean M. and Patrick R. McKinney; an expected great grandchild, Christian Levi Napier, a sister, Frances R. Boggs; 8 nieces and 5 nephews.

The celebration of her life and the service to bring glory and honor to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday July 29th, 2012 at The Raleigh Heights Baptist Church, 1000 Crowell Ave., Chesapeake. The Rev. James Thompson, the Rev. Paul Menard, and Pastor Jerry Kilyk will officiate. A time of reflection with reception will follow in the Napier Hall. Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Dr., Suffolk, VA 23434 is serving Mrs. Napier's Family. Any expressions of kindness can be made to Raleigh Heights Baptist Church, 1000 Crowell Ave., Chesapeake, VA 23324 or Gideons International, C/O Chesapeake West Camp, P.O. Box 1102, Chesapeake, VA 23327. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com

Her family would like to thank Dr. Ron Atwood and the entire staff of Atwood Family Medicine for the more than 20 years of loving, professional, and compassionate care provided to Mrs. Napier. More recently, they would also share their heartfelt thanks to Lynn Klinger and the entire staff of Senior Corp. who have made it possible for Mrs. Napier to remain in the comfort of her home along with her husband. Also, a very special thanks goes to Lorraine who is a part of Senior Corp. and has been with Mrs. Napier since October. She has treated Mrs. Napier as she would have treated her own mother. Also a very heartfelt thanks to Ronnette and Tameika, who are part of the Senior Corp Staff and have shared round the clock care for Mrs. Napier over the past 45 days bringing love and comfort to her. Lastly, a very special thanks to Kathy, Robbie, and Emily Hasty for the untold hours of care, compassion, and acts of love, provided to this very special lady.