Covington has lost a kind and generous gentleman who helped to shape our community. Mr. Burdette Alvin Rupert Sr., age 93, of Covington, Virginia died Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at his residence.

He was the husband of the late Frances Parker Rupert.

Mr. Rupert was born on December 27, 1926 in Steubenville, Ohio, the son of the late Howard Alvin Rupert and Marguerite Mae Shamp Rupert.

As a young man, Burdette enjoyed the water and worked on The Lakes as a waterman. He joined the U. S. Navy in 1944 and proudly served his country during World War II.

He came to Covington in 1956 and initially went to work building homes with his father-in-law, O.E. Parker, Sr. Just a few years later, he and Benny Rothwell formed a partnership, R&R Real Estate, that helped develop many of the subdivisions that are part of our community such as Clearwater Park, and Cherokee Forest.

Mr. Rupert was at the forefront of Covington's early low income housing initiative, opening doors to home ownership for many who would not have otherwise had that opportunity.

In 1989, he founded B. A. Rupert Real Estate Inc., which is now the oldest real estate company in the Alleghany Highlands.

Among various contributions to our community, he was a founding member of State Bank of the Alleghenies and served as a director there for many years.

An active member of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, Mr. Rupert served as deacon, elder and youth advisor. Mr. Rupert became a loyal supporter of the music program directed by his beloved wife, Frances, and remained a faithful champion of that program throughout his life.

An avid proponent of the arts in this community and beyond, he served as Manager of the Alleghany Highlands Orchestra, House Manager for the Alleghany Highlands Arts Council and volunteered frequently at Mill Mountain Theatre. In 2010 he was named an Emeritus Member of the Arts Council Board of Directors.

After the death of his wife, Frances, he established the Frances P. Rupert Memorial Scholarship for Music and the Performing Arts through Foundation for Roanoke Valley. Through that fund he provided scholarships for local students pursuing careers in the performing arts, and brought music education to Boy's Home of Virginia.

Furthermore, his foresight established the Rupert Fund as a perpetual sponsor of the popular annual residency of Missoula Children's Theatre, giving hundreds of local children the experience of musical theatre performance.

Mr. Rupert is survived by his two sons, Burdette A. Rupert, Jr. of Covington, and Stephen Aaron Rupert of Newhall, California; also his sister, Annette R. Lindsay of Brandon, Florida. Also two nephews, Gregory Lindsay and Geoffrey Lindsay; sisters-in-law, Patsy Parker and Gaynell Parker; niece, Rebecca Parker Hudson and husband, Kevin; niece, Molly Parker and great nieces Kaitlyn Potter and Parker Hudson; great nephew, Carter Hudson, Howard Liptrap, Jr., Tammy Scruggs-Duncan, and Teenie Kegley.

Other than his parents and wife, Frances Parker Rupert, Mr. Rupert was preceded in death by his long-time companion, Marie Carpenter, a niece, Susan Parker Potter; two brothers-in-law, O.E. Parker, Jr. and Burton Parker, and his former wife, Joanne Hannah.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m.. Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jim Moss officiating. Interment will follow at Smith/Armentrout Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Howard Liptrap, Jr., Kathy Lytle, Kevin Hudson, Kenny Duncan, Darius Liptrap, Donnie Liptrap, Nick Leitch, Patrick Scruggs, and Carter Hudson. Honorary pallbearers are Warren Kegley, David Ryder, Greg Lindsay, Geof Lindsay, and Bobby Leitch.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial tributes take the form of donations to the Organ Fund at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, 900 N. Alleghany Ave, Covington, VA, 24426 or to the Frances P. Rupert Memorial Scholarship Fund for Music and the Performing Arts, 611 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA, 24011.

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; lovingfuneralhome1913.com.