Joyce Draper, 89, of Salem, passed away peacefully, on Friday, September 15, 2023.
She was born November 23, 1933, in Salem, the daughter of Byron Brown Garner and Nina Florence (Howard) Garner. She married Carl ‘Delbert’ Draper on February 8, 1953, and he preceded her in death on September 17, 2001.
Joyce is survived by her children: Delbert Ray Draper and wife Vonda, Burlie Allen Draper and wife Connie, and Mark Douglas Draper and wife Terri; 11 grandchildren: Melissa Patton and husband Bobby, Crystal Dunn and husband Carl, Justin Draper and wife Amanda, Andy Odle and wife Amber, Shelly Westman and husband Andy, Nicole Howes, Michael Draper and wife Brandi, Kevin Draper, Mandy Albert and husband Ray, Justin Kennedy and wife Heather, Jeremy Draper and Staci; 24 great-grandchildren: Bobby Joe Patton, Kylie Hardesty and husband Justin, Payton Smith and husband Devon, Cameron Dunn, Naomi Draper, Tobias Draper, Isabelle Odle, Hudson Odle, Abigail Westman, Amelia Westman, Averi Westman, Jadi Howes, Lexi Draper, Jacob Draper, Abigail Draper, Gabriel Draper, Mandi Draper, Angel Ramey, Anna Draper, Dylan Kennedy, Jacie Kennedy, Jaydan Vest, Eli Draper and Issac Draper; two great-great-grandchildren: Hendrix and Jovi Smith; a brother: Melvin Garner and wife Esther; a sister: Dixie Royer; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Byron and Nina Garner, husband: Carl ‘Delbert’ Draper, one granddaughter at birth, one sister, and one brother-in-law.
Joyce worked as a secretary at Salem Township Hospital for many years until her retirement. She was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Salem.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home in Salem. Graveside Services will be held following the visitation at 11:30 AM at Paradise Cemetery in Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Emmanuel Baptist Church and/or Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home at 310 North Broadway/ P.O. Box 97 Salem, Illinois 62881, (618)548-1234, who is honored to be of service to the Draper Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland Funeral Home Facebook Page.
