Barbara Draper

Funeral Services for Barbara Draper, 63, of Alto, will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 19, 2017 at the Rusk First Baptist Church, under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home, Rusk, Texas with Bro. Jacob Fitzgerald officiating. Burial will follow at Old Palestine Cemetery, Alto, Texas. Ms. Draper passed away February 15, 2017. She was born September 25, 1953 to William Draper and the late Kathryn Draper in Rusk, Texas. She graduated from Rusk High School Class of 1972 and went on to Howard Payne University where she studied to be a Recreational Therapist. She went on to get her Master’s Degree. She devoted her career to making life better for mentally challenged individuals, and was a strong advocate and supporter of Special Olympics in Texas. She retired from Lufkin State School in 2012. Barbara was the quintessential strong Texas woman who lived with courage and compassion. She lived out her faith in Christ, devoted to caring for others. She survived a devastating disease in her early 30s that ravaged her health, but her fighting spirit kept her going. She loved to travel, do woodworking, and give special gifts to her 8 nieces and nephews, and 13 great nieces, nephews and extended family members. She was that “favorite Aunt” who everyone adored. She is predeceased by her mother, brother, David Draper, and nephew, Brian Suttles. She is survived by her father, sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia and Tommy Harrison, Bedford TX, Debra and Kerry Suttles, Jacksonville, TX, sister-in-law, Meredith Draper and her husband Jim Tarrant, Bullard, TX, nephews, Collin and Sabrina Harrison, Highland Village, TX, Luke and Angie Harrison, Hurst, TX, Shaun and Ashley Suttles, Central Heights, TX, nieces, Leslie Harrison and Justin Pollard, Lewisville, TX, Meagan Suttles and Chris Cummings, Henderson, TX, Kathryn (Katy) Draper and Michael Burbank, San Antonio, TX, Amy Draper and Zach Olsen, Israel, lifelong friend, Phyllis England and special friends Connie and Tiffany Horton and Tiffany's daughter Ashton Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Collin Harrison, Luke Harrison, Shaun Suttles, Michael Burbank, Chris Cummings and Zach Olsen. Honorary Pallbearers are Tom Harrison and Kerry Suttles.

Barbara Draper

September 25, 1953 - February 15, 2017