Edwin Ray Draper

Edwin was born in 1920 in Madill, Oklahoma. He had 2 brothers and 5 sisters. Edwin’s parent’s, William Webb and Exa Izone Draper, were teachers in southeastern Oklahoma.

At age 16, Edwin met the love of his life, Esta Fae Crenshaw. Edwin would tell you they went to church 54 nights in a row while courting. They married on June 18th,1939, just four weeks after Edwin graduated from high school. They lived in Durant with Edwin’s sister, Mildred, and started their family. Glen Dale was born in 1940. In April of 1944, Edwin joined the Army Air Force. In July of 1944, Thomas Edwin was born. Edwin completed his service to his country on March 4, 1946. The family moved to a modest house in Britton, Oklahoma. Margaret (Peggy) Ann was born in 1946, and Beverly Kay in 1947.

Edwin began working for Laingor Monument Company, which he and his brother A.W. would eventually buy in 1962. Edwin and Esta managed the daily operation of the business side-by-side until 1983.

The family moved to the house in Brookhaven in 1962, where they lived until 1989. This house became the center of all activity. Every Sunday, if you stopped by, you would have found Ed and Esta, all of their children and their spouses, all 8 grandchildren, and probably his brothers and their wives. Ed’s grandchildren will tell you that growing up, spending Sundays at their grandparents’ will always be some of their most special memories.

Edwin was born a child of God and he lived his life as a man of God. Edwin’s faith never faltered. He shared his faith with most people he met, but he also did not judge if their views were different. If ever there was a model for how to live your life in Christ, he was it.

Edwin remained extremely close to his siblings throughout his life and you could find them spending time and traveling together frequently. They loved to play cards and dominoes together. The siblings would likely be keeping a close eye on Edwin because he really liked to win and he might have not been so honest about how he got there. Edwin had a silly side to him and he enjoyed some “gentle teasing”. He got away with it, though, because it was usually met with a twinkle in his blue eyes and a big ol’ grin and a little chuckle from him; making you feel you were actually lucky to be getting teased.

In 1991, Esta Fae passed away and eventually, Edwin remarried to Betty Martin for 18 years, until her passing in 2013. Ed spent the remaining years of his life reading his bible, talking politics, spending time with his family, and sharing his love of Christ with others.

Edwin was preceded in death by his mother and father; brother’s, A.W. and W.H.; sisters, Juanita King, Wanda Johnson, Mildred Davis and Mary Bitsche; his wife of 52 years, Esta; his second, wife Betty; sons, Thomas Edwin and Glen Dale.

Edwin leaves behind his daughters, Peggy and Kay; daughter-in-law, Gayle; son-in-law, John; grandchildren, Kenneth Draper, Kelly Mustain (Robert), Trisha Draper, Michael Stiver (DeAnn), David Stiver (Rachel), Kyle Stiver, Don Draper, and Bryan Draper; great-grandchildren, Travis Mustain (Mary), Keaton Draper, Shelby Mustain, Austin Stiver, Skylar Stiver, Tyler Draper, Trent Draper, Ella Stiver, Sawyer Stiver, Emma Draper, and Hayden Stiver; and great-great grandchild, Gracelynn Mustain.