Sue B. (Emma Louise Blair) Draper

Sue Draper, born Emma Louise Blair on August 12, 1928 in Houston to Marie Inez Wolkarte Blair and Allen H. Blair, Sr., died peacefully at home surrounded by her children on March 25, 2017. Sue’s life was marked by her devotion to Catholic education, liturgy, and service; her artistic expression and creativity; her love of music; her generous spirit; and her passionate dedication to her family.

A second generation Houstonian, Emma Louise grew up in Riverside Terrace, attending St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School, and graduating from St. Agnes Academy in 1945. She earned her BFA in Design in 1949 from St. Mary of the Woods College in Terra Haute, Indiana, where she also minored in Music and played the double bass in the orchestra, as she had at SAA. Returning to Houston, she earned her teaching certificate and taught fourth grade for one year. In 1952, she married James Clark Draper, Jr. (Jim) and changed her name to Suzan. Sue and Jim remained happily married for fifty years until Jim’s death in 2002. They produced seven children between 1953 and 1963, raising them in a warm, joyous, colorful, music-filled home.

In 1958, Sue began teaching private piano lessons in her home, having begun studying piano at age nine. She continued giving lessons into the last year of her life at age 88.

Sue was a longtime member of the Theresians and the Altar Society of St. Cecilia Parish. Her service included over twelve years as sacristan, and a year as President of the Women’s Club.

In 1961 Sue earned her certificate to teach Elementary Christian Doctrine, beginning her long career with the Diocese of Galveston-Houston and her habit of continual learning. As both an educator and a practitioner of religion, music, and art, she wove her volunteer and professional work into a life tapestry. She was a substitute teacher of CCD at St. Cecilia’s, and of art at SAA; a volunteer art appreciation teacher to grades three through eight at St. Cecilia’s for ten years; and became a Head Start program teacher of music and art in 1971 in St. Joseph’s Parish. For nine years in the seventies she was organist and music coordinator for a Mass at St. Joseph’s Church and for most large church celebrations, including hundreds of Quincienera ceremonies. In 1974 she earned her Full Teacher of Religion Certification, and taught CCD to eighth grade at Assumption Parish in 1978-1979. Also at Assumption she was team leader for the eighth grade Confirmation program, and she facilitated GENESIS 2 class in the CCE department. In 1979, Sue taught Religious Education at Seton Catholic Jr. High School.

Sue and Jim’s fifth child, Doug, died of a tumor on his spinal cord in 1978, a tragedy that had a lasting effect on the whole family, drawing them closer. Sue re-dedicated herself to religious education. In 1983, she earned her Masters of Religious Education from University of St. Thomas, Graduate School of Theology, Institute of Religious Studies, with a Specialization in Liturgy; and in 1994, her Certification from the Spiritual Direction Institute from the Cenacle Retreat House.

Throughout her career, Sue served in positions including Director of Religious Education, Instructor and Coordinator for CCE and RCIA, Liturgical Coordinator, Spiritual Director, and organist in parishes previously mentioned plus St. Ambrose and St. Anne’s.

Sue developed a passion for genealogy in her last decades, and researched her and Jim’s family history extensively, writing a book that has yet to be assembled. She had a love for camping in the Hill Country, and enjoyed her last such event with her family one year before her death. “Mama Sue,” as she was known, loved her cats, gardening, sewing, home decorating, baseball, and taking care of her family and anyone else in need. She was grateful to live out her last days in her home of fifty years.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband Jim Draper, Jr., sons Doug and Walter, daughter Ann Vaughn, granddaughter Elizabeth Christina (Crissy) Vaughn, great grandson Jacob Dalby Waters and nephew Wayne Blair. She is survived by children Sara, John, and Greg Draper, and Jane Ashe; by grandchildren Jennifer Whitaker, Susan Vaughn Waters, David, Raphael, and Ian Ashe, Benjamin Gabriel Draper, and Nakima Ollin; nephews Ray and Don Blair, niece Dianne Blair Knesek; and by many great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 30, 2017, 5:00pm until 8:00pm with Evening Prayer at 7:00pm, in the Hunter’s Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. Funeral Mass will be conducted Friday, March 31, 2017 10:30am, St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, Texas 77024, with interment to follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Avenue, Houston, Texas 77023.