Marlene Kittrell Roper, 92, of Morehead City, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, while surrounded by her loving family.

A funeral service to honor Marlene’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, August 2nd, at Crab Point Free Will Baptist Church officiated by Alan Hammer. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday, August 1st at Munden Funeral Home. For those unable to attend, the funeral service can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website.

Born on September 5, 1933, in Morehead City, North Carolina, Marlene was the daughter of the late Willie Robert Kittrell and Daisy Bell Smith Kittrell. As the oldest of four children, she lovingly helped her mother raise her three younger brothers. A gifted student with a lifelong love of learning, Marlene was known as one of the brightest students in her class and graduated from Morehead City High School in 1951.

While attending Morehead City High School, Marlene met the love of her life, a red-haired Marine, John Berry Roper. After dating for three years, they were married on January 31, 1953. Their marriage was a true love story that lasted nearly 60 years until his passing in October 2011.

Marlene was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She lived a life filled with faith, love, and gratitude, always believing God had richly blessed her with a wonderful life. She especially enjoyed traveling with her family and remained an avid reader throughout her life. Rarely was she without a book in her hands.

Three years ago, because of declining health, Marlene returned to her roots in Morehead City after leaving the Marietta, Georgia, home she had lovingly shared with her husband for 60 years. There, she was surrounded by the love and care of her family during her final years.

She is survived by her son, Berry Roper (Angela) of Smyrna, Georgia; her grandchildren, Sandy Wellborn (Shawn), Brandy Whitaker (Allan), Lynn Gipson (Michael), Tabitha Kuhn (Michael), and Casey Roper; 17 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; her brothers, Roy Kittrell (Jean) and Walter Kittrell (Pattie); her sister-in-law, Catherine Kittrell; four nephews; six nieces, whom she loved dearly; and her special friends, Jimmy Groover, Jean Groover, and Mary Greeson.

In addition to her parents, Marlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Berry Roper; her son, Robert Kerry Roper; her grandson, David Roper; her brother, Ralph Kittrell; her sister, Mary Belinda Kittrell; and her special lifetime friends, Jean Davis Lawrence and Violetta Fiorini.

Marlene will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her love for her family, her kindness, and her lifelong love of learning. Her gentle spirit, generous heart, and quiet strength touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, and devotion that will continue to inspire her family and all who were blessed to know her.

Memorial donations may be made to Crab Point Free Will Baptist Church, 2301 Crab Point Loop Road Morehead City, NC 28557.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.