Sanders Draper

Sanders Draper was the tenth child born to Clint and Emma Draper on February 14, 1932 in Greenwood, Louisiana. Sanders was baptized at an early age at Greenwood #1 Baptist Church currently known as The Light Church under the leadership of Pastor Sam Price. Sanders attended public school in Caddo Parish and worked along with his father. Sanders had a strong work ethic and often told those in his inner circle, “If a man doesn’t work, he doesn’t eat.” At the age of seventeen, with all of his belongings in one brown paper bag, Sanders moved to Houston, TX.  This is where he met his one true love, Verlena Johnson. Sanders and Verlena united in holy matrimony on March 30, 1952, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor J.L. Gaston.  To this union, six children were born Sanders was a faithful husband and provider for his family for sixty-seven years.  Sanders worked at Baroid NL Treating Chemical Plant for thirty-seven years which was later sold to Exxon where he continued to work for an additional six years. He devoted forty-three years of service as a plant operator until he retired in July 1995. He prided in the fact that he brought every single paycheck home to his wife and family.  Sanders and Verlena united with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in 1961 under the leadership of Pastor H.B. Sampson, Sr. Under the leadership of Pastor F.D. Sampson Sr., Sanders was appointed to the Deacons Ministry in the early eighties and later on served as chairman. Deacon Draper also served in the Men’s Ministry, Male Chorus, and the Evangelism Ministry. On Friday, June 7, 2019, Deacon Draper answered the call of the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clint and Emma Draper; brothers, James, Linzie, Marion, Herman, Dersie, Matthew, and Clint Jr Draper; sisters, Bessie Brooks, Savannah Richardson, Ruby Draper, Pinkie Allen, and Esther Landreth. Deacon Draper leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife of sixty-seven years, Verlena Draper; three sons, Rander Sr. (Darlene) of San Antonio, Samuel Sr., and Timothy Draper; three daughters, Vickie Brown (Ricky), Bonnie Williams, and Nakia Jackson (De’Von); twelve grandchildren; Leonard C. Williams, III, Tiffany Brown, Tamika LaDay Brown (Adrian), Andrea Draper, Rander, Jr, (Shanya), Marcus Brown (Cheyne), Samantha Draper, Samuel Draper Jr. (Nicole), Quan Williams-Shields, Marquis Wright-Jackson, Nia Jackson, and Mya Jackson; eighteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two brothers; Joseph Draper of Shreveport, LA and Sherman Draper of Las Vegas, NV; one sister, Maggie Miles (RC) of Shreveport and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.