Judith Hunter Draper, lovingly known as “HeyBoo” by her grandchildren, died Tuesday, September 25th at home after a year long battle against lung and brain cancer. She was born December 1, 1949 in Portsmouth, VA to Bronson Alcott Hunter, Jr. and Francis Mitchell Hunter. Judy grew up in Rocky Mount, NC, graduated from Peace College in 1970 and UNC – Chapel Hill in 1972 with a degree in elementary education. After 20 years as an elementary school teacher interrupted twice by the birth of her two children, she found her dream job, Director of the Greystone Baptist Church Preschool Program, which she led for 13 years.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her much loved daughter Elizabeth Kimball Draper; and two brothers, Bronson Alcott Hunter, III and John Charles Hunter.
Surviving are her husband of 46 years, Stephen Brantley Draper of Raleigh, NC; her son William Elliott Draper, DVM and his wife Charla Fitch Draper, DVM, of Columbia, SC and their children Vera Elizabeth Draper, Reagan Brantley Draper, Charles Sullivan Draper and Porter Elliott Draper; five sisters-in-law Sandy Hunter, Sharon Hunter, Lucy D. Crane (Dale), Kimball D. McIlvain (Mac) and Harriet D. Hassinger; and twelve nieces and nephews, their nine wives and sixteen children.
Judy loved the time she spent the last 25 years at her home, “Absolut Paradise”, in Topsail Beach, NC, especially entertaining friends and family and developing new friendships with her neighbors there and friends at Emma Anderson Memorial Church.
The family would like to thank her doctors, Jim Parsons, Alan Kritz and John Fakiris and the staff at Rex Cancer Center and Transitions Life Care for all their loving care over the past thirteen months.
Visitation will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC on Friday, September 28th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
A memorial service will be conducted at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 29th at 11:00 am, with a private burial service earlier at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will also receive friends following the service in the Jane Bell Gathering Space at White Memorial.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, PO Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, or the charity of your choice.
