Edwadean Draper

BENJAMIN FUNERAL SERVICE NOWATA, OKLAHOMA 918-273-2700....

Edwadean Draper, 85-year-old Nowata resident, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

Dean was born September 22, 1935, to Edward and Nell (Adcock) Branstine in Dierks, Arkansas. She graduated from Broken Bow High School, Oklahoma. Dean was the 1953 Class Valedictorian and editor of the HS yearbook. She was a member of Glee Club, Pep Club, FHA, Vocal Music and National Honor Society.  Dean attended Memphis State University and graduated in 1957 with a BS in Education. She went on to earn a master’s in library science later in her career. Dean married the love of her life, Loyd Lavern Draper on June 29, 1958, in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Together, they raised twin daughters, Robbie and Susan, whom Dean referred to as her “Gifts from God” as they were adopted at birth in 1964. Dean and LaVern cherished 56 years of their life together until LaVern’s passing on June 22, 2014. Her husband was the Pastor of First Christian Churches across the state for many years.  Dean’s second calling was serving as a minister’s wife for more than 50 years.  She was devoted to her church and religion and loved Jesus with all her heart. She had a beautiful voice that filled the sanctuary each Sunday.  She sang in the church choir for many years.

Dean worked in the Public School system for over 29 years before retiring. She was a gifted teacher and school librarian who loved her students and was loved in return by them.

Her hobbies included reading, baking, gardening, and making crafts, especially making Christmas stockings around the holidays. She enjoyed being around her family, church family, and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved her family unconditionally and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Dean is preceded in death by her husband, Loyd Lavern Draper; parents, Edward and Nell Branstine; two siblings, Sue Moore and James Branstine.

She is survived by her two daughters, Robbie Scott and husband Tony of Nowata, OK, Susan Vincent and husband Brad of Bartlesville, OK; four grandchildren, Josh Vincent and partner Lily Smith, Levi Vincent, Christina Hewett and husband Adam, Mark Scott; five great grandchildren, Avery, Sophia, Adison, Sullivan, Killian; one brother, Wes Branstine and wife Nelda; nieces, Lynda Eades, Leslie Branstine, Amy Gregg; nephews Bill Moore and Bill Blankenship, and many other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2021, at the First Christian Church in Nowata, Oklahoma, with Pastor Elizabeth Grasham officiating. Burial will follow at the Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Services are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com

The family request all donations be made in memory of Lavern Draper Scholarship Fund in care of the First Christian Church, Nowata, Oklahoma or to the First Christian Church, Nowata, Ok.  Thank You!!