Dorothy Draper

Louise Draper, 86, died on October 31, 2014 at Baptist Health, Little Rock Arkansas. She was born February 29, 1928 in Mayflower to Edwin and Mattie Bass.

Louise is survived by a sister Maggie Parks; three sons, Danny Draper (Libby), Ralph Draper Jr. (Carol) and Tim Draper (Lisa); daughter Cathey Gortney; grandchildren, Jason, Scott, Jeff, Carrie, Heather, Erin, Ashley; great grandchildren; Dylon, Hunter, Abbey, Madeline, Josh, Madilyn, Nick, Jayden, Noah, Dixie and soon to arrive John David .

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Ralph Draper Sr; brother Arvil Samuel Bass; son-in-law, John Gortney husband of Cathey Draper Gortney; and Debbie Warren Draper wife of Ralph Draper Jr.

Louise grew up in the Baptist faith and became a member of Maumelle Assembly of God (now Little Rock West Assembly of God) when she married our dad, Ralph Draper.

The family moved to California in 1955. Mom worked with dad on a dairy farm and later on a ranch raising cotton, sugar beets, beef and dairy cattle and a few horses. In 1969 with both older sons in Vietnam, mom and dad moved back home to Little Rock to be near their family. I always kidded mom and dad that they had moved while we boys were in Vietnam in an effort to get away from us and left no forwarding address! She worked as a full-time housewife after moving back to Arkansas.

Kids could not have asked for better parents. We were raised up in a time when discipline of children was allowed. Both mom and dad were sometimes strict, but they were fair, and we are all better people for the way they raised us. Mom and dad loved their children and grandchildren, and demonstrated that love every day. And mom has been known to spoil her grandchildren on occasion!

Mom's last few weeks were very difficult but she is now in the presence of the Lord, and has neither pain nor the multitude of health problems that she had to suffer the last few weeks. She never complained, never grumbled or griped, even during the hardest of times, and always just accepted life as it was. Deep inside, she always knew that God was always in control. She will be missed by her children, grandchildren and everyone who knew her.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery off Hwy 10 in Little Rock. Online obituary and guest book at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .